After watching some recent Ranchero auctions end up at some quite inflated prices (near $7500, $10,000 USA), I noticed an eBay auction yesterday that ended at what I consider a very realistic price for a clean <very likely> all-original Ranchero 2990: For some reason, eBay is not allowing opening the completed listing any longer which is unfortunate...
This one?Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
That was one of the "inflated" prices. See my updated post above... Or was yesterday's Ranchero a "bargain" price because the provenance of the watch wasn't certain?...maybe. He had it listed on some forums at an "inflated" price and finally put it on the 'bay to move it. But based on how stagnant the sales of similarly priced Rancheros on Chrono24 have been, I think the bubble is popping.
You might be right. The fact that it is a model so often faked and messed about with might be another. Too much of a risk for most I saw a new reissue one in the window at the Omega shop at Frankfurt airport for 9999 Euros I can't imagine many of them shift at that price!
When you say reissue, you mean the Belgium "modern" version?...yeah, that's quite an ambition price tag. Boy, if Omega decided to reissue the 2990 (sub-second) Ranchero, I would be in trouble...
With the price of Railmasters climbing over the past couple years it seems natural that the price of Rancheros would also climb. The one that you posted had several issues including lume loss on the hour markers and hands as well as a movement that wasn’t in top shape. I think the price of this one was really about condition.
It was a very clean dial with the typical aging of the lume, but I wouldn't call that l"ume loss" unless you're referring to the tiny pin hole in the hour hand lume.....here's his original ad on WUS. https://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-tropical-omega-ranchero-2990-a-4725449.html If the seller is a member here, I want to say, congrats on a nice sale and feel free to comment.
Not sure any bubble is bursting but maybe prices reaching some equilibrium. On this forum there are clear fans and foes of the Ranchero. It is clearly not in the same league as the Railmaster IMO, but it has a distinctive charm, nice radium, and a solid reliable caliber. My guess is that if railmaster's and seamaster's stay strong, so will Ranchero's
Are we sure the lume on this one is original? Also the multicolored movement can be a not so good sign.
Here’s a link to the eBay sale https://www.ebay.com/itm/-/142840875149?nordt=true&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l10137Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network I don’t understand why you think this one to be a more “realistic” value given it is the exception on the market. Ranchero values are hard to gauge because there is so much variation in conditions and prices, but I would consider this one a bargain. The movement coloring raises some questions though. Generally it is a good idea to exclude the very top and very bottom extremes when taking these types of measurements.
Good points and valid argument, however, notice that eBay will no longer let us link to prior completed listings...try clicking on your link, you'll see what I mean...bummer.
Clicking on my link opens the correct page for me. If it doesn’t when they redirect you there’s a link to open the original one.
I agree that the lume doesn’t look right. I saw this and dismissed it for that reason. I think that’s why it sold for less than the trend for good ones.
People with 1 Ranchero tend to buy another or more. Why? Because it’s one of the most enjoyable watches on the wrist and a classic that can go head to head with the Explorer 1016 any day, and still priced well below them. The case is perfect. Plus you’re getting a hand wound 30mm movement that is the quintessence of WISsing. This example in the OP is not a good barometer, the Rancheros in top condition don’t come up very often, and this isn’t one of them.
I fully agree, the case is in excellent shape. Seeing that the bracelet isn't original to the watch, the buyer could sell it and really end up with a really fairly priced watch. I don't regret selling many watches, but I do regret selling my 2990.
I followed the auction and figured it would end up a bit higher. I agree that the lume/patina could look better, but it seemed like a nice example. Pretty reasonable price.
as said before ... on ranchero quality matters for this example imo: lume looks not ok for me and even if the huge crack at 2 o'clock kills it hands don't match lume color greish faded dial is absolutely not my cup of tea on a ranchero about the bracelet, it's 11 years too late, endlinks should be number 4 case is ok but nothing exciting so all this points togheter it's a so so watch and the price reflects it ....