This watch exists. That is all I know.



Odd fellow. At first blush it looks almost like a transitional Seamaster of the late 50's. I will update this thread when I learn more. But if you have one, or know some good history, please pass it along.

 

Oh wow... a failed watch with a cool history. Here's a nice write-up regarding this "Fourth Musketeer".

http://www.watchprosite.com/?page=wf.forumpost&fi=677&ti=965913&pi=6723988

White dial Rancheros look great.



Now I have a strange urge to play a little backgammon.

 

These are very cool watches, but take caution when searching for one as they're very popular models to redial and/or franken up from less-valuable Seamasters of the time.

 

that Black one is killer!

 

A sad story to what has now became a must for collectors.

 

How would they typically be "frankened" (other than redial?). A white dialed one was just sold on the Italian forum, they were also having a discussion about the need to ensure the watch was in fact all original.

 

@Syrte Which Italian forum?

 

Orologi e passioni

 

Well first let me preface my comments by saying that I am no expert, I'm just relaying my observations of some of these! But they came with similar movements and cases to Seamasters of the era I think, but are worth approx. 10x the value - so often, unscrupulous sellers will "redial" the regular Seamaster dial to appear like a Ranchero, then reinstall it into a Seamaster case / movement. Or, they'll franken one up by acquiring a genuine Ranchero dial and installing it into a Seamaster case / movement. Instant $3k+ return if you can pass it off

 

I've quickly become a Ranchero addict!
It's my "poor man's Railmaster", similar to how it was originally marketed....I love a manual-wind movement.

 

Love the patina on this one!

 

Thanks....yeah, love the contrast between the painted numbers and the orange markers.

 

I read that there are post 1960 models, especially for the Pakistani Air Force. Can someone confirm that? Do these “newer” models use Tritium instead of Radium? I read of ref numbers such as 2996 and 2990.

 

PAF RM, yes, they do exist. As they are pre-about '62, they should be radium.

https://thespringbar.com/blogs/guides/omega-railmaster-a-collector-s-guide

 

What about the Ranchero?

 

If you do a search you will find tons of information here and on the web.

 

I did some searching but the information I found was quite ambiguous. There are some watches out there that claim to be using tritium which would speak for 1962 but then again most articles speak of two years productio span between 1958-1960.

 

nice ranchero