Omega „Seachero” or not?

gbesq · May 23, 2022

Interestingly, if you go to Omega's website and search the 2990 and 2996 references, they both come up as Ranchero models. So I think that this kind of bolsters the position that if you have a 2990 or 2996 case with a Seamaster dial - whether installed originally at the factory or swapped at some later time by a dealer, distributor, etc. - then you have a Seachero.

Vintage Watch: Ranchero OMEGA CK 2990 | OMEGA US® (omegawatches.com)

Vintage Watch: Ranchero OMEGA CK 2996 | OMEGA US® (omegawatches.com)

Davidt · May 23, 2022

You can’t put much sway on the OVD as they often only include one dial type and one case material even when multiple were available.

For example if you type in ref 135.011 it only shows Seamaster 600, but there are versions of the reference with no model name and also those with Geneve on the dial.

gbesq · May 23, 2022

Davidt
You can’t put much sway on the OVD as they often only include one dial type and one case material even when multiple were available.

For example if you type in ref 135.011 it only shows Seamaster 600, but there are versions of the reference with no model name and also those with Geneve on the dial.

That’s a fair point.

Kiwibloke · May 23, 2022

tdn-dk
The extract will be rejected I think, if the archive says delivered with Ranchero dial and the picture says Seamaster. Thats the normal procedure now a days.

Returning to the matter which initiated this thread - having read and re-read all the opinions, is it worth going back to Omega and querying whether the archive did indeed show that movement number being produced as a Ranchero - and therefore - despite the current Seamaster dial - the model which should be recorded as Ranchero on the Extract? Interestingly, the production date is only a few days apart from @tdn-dk 's extract and delivery is also to Finland...

This isn't about value in any way - it's simply that I purchased what was offered as a 'Seachero' from interest in the circumstances back then that led to these existing - and now looks like it cannot be proven this was born a Ranchero. Therefore - at best - it "maybe" a 'Seachero' or whatever label is used...

sneer · May 24, 2022

Kiwibloke
This isn't about value in any way - it's simply that I purchased what was offered as a 'Seachero' from interest in the circumstances back then that led to these existing - and now looks like it cannot be proven this was born a Ranchero. Therefore - at best - it "maybe" a 'Seachero' or whatever label is used...

I think it is more a matter of individual expectations which should be detailed discussed before purchasing, because in this case in community of watch collectors it is assumed that 2990/2996 references are called "seachero" ...

Kiwibloke · May 24, 2022

A(nother) lesson learned - verify your target fully before pulling the trigger. 🙁

Davidt · May 24, 2022

sneer
I think it is more a matter of individual expectations which should be detailed discussed before purchasing, because in this case in community of watch collectors it is assumed that 2990/2996 references are called "seachero" ...

I don’t think that’s correct. I think it’s quite clear there’s no consensus on what constitutes a Seachero, with at least 3 possible options.

gbesq · May 24, 2022

I think that Davidt has it right. That being said, I am one of those collectors who is willing to pay more for what I consider to be a Seachero in very good to excellent condition. One of the main attractions for me is the 2990/2996 case. In good condition, these are simple, beautiful cases with thick lugs, a nice profile, and the mid case is relatively thin. The 2990, with its flat case back, wears especially well. I also like the dial variations with these models. For all of those reasons, I consider the Seachero to be a cut above many of the “plainer” Seamasters (not an insult as most of my collection is composed of vintage Seamasters) and worth paying more for original examples in excellent condition.

ConElPueblo · May 24, 2022

To my collector brain, there are the following distinctions all within the references (with added personal opinion 😀 ):

Ranchero (Ranchero dial, Ranchero reference on the extract): "That's a pretty watch"
Transformed Ranchero (Seamaster service dial, Ranchero reference on the extract): "Oh, interesting!"
Searchero (Seamaster dial, Ranchero reference on the extract): "Huh, that's funny"
Seamaster (Seamaster dial, Seamaster reference on the extract): "That's a pretty watch"

Writing as a transformed Omega collector myself (having transitioned into collecting Certinas) I have a hard time seeing the added attraction of the "Searchero" Seamaster. As @gbesq notes, there are case differences that make it interesting and I completely see that. A ref. 2792 for instance have a slightly more feminine look with the slimmer lugs, but that aside we're still talking 36mm, snapback Omegas powered by a cal. 30 variant. What makes the Ranchero stand out is undoubtedly the fashionable dial layout, but underneath that... Well, we're back to standard Omega fare.

I am really happy that most of you guys leave the Certina DS' for the rest of us 😁

gbesq · May 24, 2022

Hmmm, Certina DS you say? I must take a closer look at those. 😀

Kiwibloke · Jun 2, 2022

ConElPueblo
I have a hard time seeing the added attraction of the "Searchero" Seamaster.

The "attraction" for me is more from a sales/marketing angle - that a model was not only discontinued after just 2 years because Omega didn't recognise the connotations from Ranchero name, but that distributors took the step to re-dial the watches in order to move them out the door...

That aside, the final chapter in this particular story is yet to be written - I did contact Omega asking their Archive team to take another look to ensure the watch with this case and movement didn't leave the factory as a Ranchero (and correct the EoA if needed). Just received the following reply (my highlights)....

OUR ANSWER
Dear Mr. Sheffield,

We thank you for your request and are happy to learn that you own a Vintage OMEGA watch. First, we take this opportunity to thank you for the confidence in our brand.

We have consulted our Heritage Team and are sorry that the model name was not correctly reflected. Our experts will release an updated version of the Extract from the Archives shortly.

We hope that we were able to address your concerns and send you our best regards from Switzerland.

Best Regards,
Your OMEGA Team

So - I hope to return to this thread in a few weeks with an EoA stating that the watch was produced as a Ranchero - and therefore to me truly reflects a 'Seachero' (or transformed Ranchero...😀)

Cheers,
Martin

mattiascollin · Oct 28, 2022

Wonderful thread! Here’s my double reference 2990-1SC / 2996 with a dial looking very much like a real Ranchero (or Railmaster), but with Seamaster on the dial. Actually closest visual matches are the few Pakistani Airforce (PAF labeled on both back and movemen) I have seen. These left Omega as Seamasters, but mine actually says Seamaster “Ranchero” on the extract that indicates production in 1959 and delivery to Sweden. I don’t think you can get much closer to an official Seachero;-)

gbesq · Oct 28, 2022

mattiascollin
Wonderful thread! Here’s my double reference 2990-1SC / 2996 with a dial looking very much like a real Ranchero (or Railmaster), but with Seamaster on the dial. Actually closest visual matches are the few Pakistani Airforce (PAF labeled on both back and movemen) I have seen. These left Omega as Seamasters, but mine actually says Seamaster “Ranchero” on the extract that indicates production in 1959 and delivery to Sweden. I don’t think you can get much closer to an official Seachero;-)

Very handsome watch. Then there are the VERY few examples that have BOTH Ranchero and Seamaster on the dial. There is one up for sale on Chrono24 right now - for $13,000 or so - that looks authentic to me. I've only seen a couple of these, but apparently they are the real deal.

mattiascollin · Oct 28, 2022

gbesq
Very handsome watch. Then there are the VERY few examples that have BOTH Ranchero and Seamaster on the dial. There is one up for sale on Chrono24 right now - for $13,000 or so - that looks authentic to me. I've only seen a couple of these, but apparently they are the real deal.

Thank you very much! Yes, those are very rare! If I have understood the lore, these were modified for the German market. I agree, with you that the one on CH24 looks like the real deal, but I would have liked an extract from the archive as well. At that price point, I think the SELLER should provide that!

gbesq · Oct 28, 2022

mattiascollin
Thank you very much! Yes, those are very rare! If I have understood the lore, these were modified for the German market. I agree, with you that the one on CH24 looks like the real deal, but I would have liked an extract from the archive as well. At that price point, I think the SELLER should provide that!

Agreed. And hand deliver it to the buyer!

BIGFIN · Jan 11, 2024

What about the 2891-1 and 2891-2 models? Are they Searcheros or what? Need help

gbesq · Jan 11, 2024

B BIGFIN
What about the 2891-1 and 2891-2 models? Are they Searcheros or what? Need help

Not to my knowledge. The only case reference other than the 2990/2996 that I've sometimes seen referred to as a Seachero is the 2937 and I personally have some doubts that it is properly classified as a Seachero.

Omega „Seachero” or not?

gbesq

Davidt

gbesq

Kiwibloke

sneer

Kiwibloke

Davidt

gbesq

ConElPueblo

gbesq

Kiwibloke

mattiascollin

gbesq

mattiascollin

gbesq

BIGFIN

gbesq

Similar threads

Signed crown or not

Omega Seamaster 2866: Redial or not?

1963 Constellation 167.005, 551: Redial or not?

Pie Pan Redial? Genuine or Not?

Speedmaster legit or not?

Heritage - Service or not service