Hi everyone,

I'm new to your forum, however in my search for wisdom I came across it, and hopefully you can help me.
I've won the auction on Ebay for an Omega Ranchero, described as authentic, however with a refurbished dial. After looking at a lot of Rancheros I suddenly find myself doubting some of the information given, hence this post:

As seen on the pictures it is a CAL268. As far as I've read CAL267 and 268 were both used in the Rancheros with subseconds, correct?
The serial number states 18xxxxxx which is indicative of a 1961 production. However Rancheros were produced only in 57/58 so is this a showstopper, or does the serial sometimes differ slightly?
The arrow on the hour marking as a straight edge back. I've seen both curved and straight, are they both original?
The subsecond markings seem to be on the actual main dial, and not on their own subdial. Again, I've seen both on pictures, are both original?

Is there anything else that catches the eye?

Hoping for swift responses as payment is due within a couple of days.

I look forward to your replies..

Elkjaer

 

I've just realised you mention it's already a redial! My mistake, I was half asleep..

 

Thanks for taking the time to comment on my post.

I've sent some of the questions on to the seller, and he's ready to cancel the deal as he couldn't produce a valid answer to all of them. He's a major ebay seller with almost only good credentials so I don't think he has tried to mislead, perhaps more "not mention" the word original Ranchero in every bullet point, but simply original Omega.
My feeling is that it's a frankenstein, but not a bad one at that. In fact I'd still like the watch, but have no intention of paying more than a couple of hundred bucks.

 

Two things about eBay watches:

1) Sellers can't be experts on every vintage watch brand, and most times they don't know much about any brand. (luckily we have a couple here that are very knowledgeable and honest.) As you mention, he might not have been trying to mislead you but didn't know better himself.

2) Odds are that most of the buyers who gave good feedback don't know squat about what they bought.

Nice to see the seller was gracious enough to take it back since you were able to show good reason.

 

Thanks again for the replies, deal is cancelled (kind of him) and I'm once again on the lookout for a black dial ranchero....a little bit wiser this time;-)

 

The watch is total garbage.
Fake hands
Fake dial
Trash movement not even close to correct serial or Ref #
Finding a real one is difficult and you won't buy it for
$900. The collectors that know what a real Ranchero
is will bid them up.
Here's a real untouched example for your reference.

 

Very nice - now, what's behind or the reason for the name Ranchero on these models?

 

Marketing flub.
Lost in translation.

In 1958, Omega created a watch line it called Rancheros. It was inspired by the Railmaster, the Seamaster 300 and the arrowhead hand of the 1957 Speedmaster so there was no mistaking its lineage. The watch encountered resistance in Spanish-speaking countries from potential customers who were put off by its name that means “ranch hand” in Spanish. As a result, the Rancheros, were discontinued and are quite rare today. Ironically, this scarcity has led to high prices in the vintage watch market and the once modest Ranchero has become quite the collector’s item.
The name had a short revival in 1976 but only in Belgium. Omega’s general agent there had hoped that an entry level model would stimulate what he felt were sluggish sales of Seamasters. The revival was short lived and the Ranchero is destined to be one of the most famous of the lost lines.