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Omega Ranchero Authenticity Help Needed

Reno7
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Hi guys,

I'm a new member to the Omega Forum family.

I wanted to ask some of you experts on this platform to help me authenticate an Omega Ranchero watch.

Yes, it's a vintage piece, and I'm obsessed with this piece.
I have found one for sale at a reasonable price but have doubts when it comes to the originality of the watch.

The seller claims that it's 100% authentic, no papers.

If you could please let me know if I can go ahead and purchase this bad boy.

I will appreciate any comment or an advice.

Thank you in advance.


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gbesq
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It would help if you had better high resolution photos as well as pics of the case back, dust cover and movement. The vast majority of black dial Rancheros are redials, but it’s really hard to assess without better photos. What’s the asking price?
 
Reno7
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One part of me says, just go and buy a new 57 trilogy Railmaster and get it over with. But, on the other hand, I just love the vintage feel and look, manual wound movement and a 36mm case of that piece. The Railmaster has lug2lug 48mm length, which in my opinion is too big for my 6.7 inch wrist.
 
gbesq
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I’m inclined to think it’s genuine. Price is in the ball park, but again, without high resolution photos of the dial, it’s difficult to assess. Crown is correct, but it looks like the case has been polished (again, better photos would help). Movement looks decent. Keep in mind that the lume on this watch is radium, which is highly radioactive and has a 1,600 year half life. That’s an issue for some and not a concern for others.
 
gbesq
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Reno7 Reno7
One part of me says, just go and buy a new 57 trilogy Railmaster and get it over with. But, on the other hand, I just love the vintage feel and look, manual wound movement and a 36mm case of that piece. The Railmaster has lug2lug 48mm length, which in my opinion is too big for my 6.7 inch wrist.
Maybe you should consider a modern Seamaster 300? 41mm case might be a better fit for you.
https://hodinkee-shopify.imgix.net/...07&auto=format&fit=max&q=88&ixlib=react-8.4.0
Edited:
 
Reno7
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No man, 41mm is too big. I already own a Speedy, which is a 42mm and it's a stretch already. But my love for the Speedy is blind 😀.

I also think that it's an original watch. I have seen the fakes, just about 20 pieces, and pretty much know what to look for to spot a fake, but there are Omega enthusiasts and purists that would tell you if your are dealing with a fake watch in 37 seconds.

Here is the link to the listing - https://www.chrono24.com/omega/ranchero-2990-1--id12557378.htm

looking forward to your last word 😀
 
gbesq
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It’s your call, my friend. Unless you’re concerned that someone else will swoop in and buy the watch before you do, I would wait for some more opinions from our heavy hitters on OF who have more experience and knowledge than I do. 4,500 Euro is not small change. You want to be sure before you pull the trigger.
 
Reno7
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Correct. It's not a small amount. That's why, I want to wait for more memoirs to join and chip in with their expertise. What would you do, granted that this is an original watch, would you go for it, or would you rather purchase the 57 trilogy Railmaster? With its new co-axial movement and all that jazz?
 
TimeODanaos
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Don't forget to research the seller. He is a member of this forum, so you can try to PM those he has dealt with.
 
gbesq
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Objectively, the modern Railmaster is a better watch in every respect, but that’s not why we buy vintage pieces. We buy them because they’re cool! Aside from its vintage character, an authentic Ranchero has good upside potential as an investment since relatively few were made and they are in demand by collectors.
 
Reno7
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Thank you. How do you know he's the member of this forum? I'm sorry to ask so many questions, but I'm new to this site. And how do you PM he has felt with?
 
TimeODanaos
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Reno7 Reno7
Thank you. How do you know he's the member of this forum? I'm sorry to ask so many questions, but I'm new to this site. And how do you PM he has felt with?
No problem. Use the magnifier symbol top right of your screen (I'm on laptop just now). Click that for search function. Three rows down, you can search on an individual's OF handle. Good for you, Wouter uses his name for that. Then, you get a feel for who they are, and their interactions.
PMs - click mail symbol top right.
And... welcome aboard!
 
Vintagewtchzilla
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gbesq gbesq
Objectively, the modern Railmaster is a better watch in every respect, but that’s not why we buy vintage pieces. We buy them because they’re cool! Aside from its vintage character, an authentic Ranchero has good upside potential as an investment since relatively few were made and they are in demand by collectors.

the railmaster is an absolute boring watch and not comparable to the ranchero. the ranchero is just 36mm but has such a wrist presence ... and it's flat and charming to wear. @Reno7 don't bother with your wrist size my GF is wearing her ranchero and it fits even her chicken wrist. it looks all good to me, it was def. polished in the past but not too wild. price isn't bad. ask for UV light shot and if possible a geiger reading.
 
Flip
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Hi,
My thoughts ....
Original no question despite poor resolution photos.
Dial is good and clearly untouched, I like to see lume like this on black dials. Hands ? Hmm, correct but are they replacements? I’m not saying they are but no trace of lume on them is questionable. Sub second hand correct with some paint loss. Case correct with signs of some but light polishing.
Movement correct and early. Although I have this one listed on my database I do not have any archive details so can’t confirm any history.
Price is fair imho
 
gbesq
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Not to play devil’s advocate, but I believe that Cuttysark has or had a white dial Ranchero listed for sale in the private sales forum on OF. I believe that he was asking 6,000 Euro, but the watch is absolutely stunning and quite rare. Probably one of the best examples of a Ranchero for sale that I have ever seen.
 
Flip
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Yes Nico’s example is nice and with an archive too, delivered to Japan of all places, as by far the majority were delivered to Italy based on my records
 
Flip
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Ps you’ll see 2 black dials for every white one 😉
 
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