Hello,
Long time lurker here but I rarely post. I'd like to gain some knowledge about my unique Ranchero. I have had this Omega 2996 Ranchero for many years and have never seen another like it. Obviously it is missing the 30mm text on the dial. The case and movement are certainly real but the uniqueness of the dial has me concerned. Has anyone here seen one like this or have an educated opinion about it's authenticity or lack thereof? The other text, background, case, movement and lume all look good to me but I'd like to know one way or another what experts think about the dial.
I love the watch and really hope that it is correct but
I am fearful it is a frankenwatch or worse.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Kindly,
Rigby

 

whats the serial?

 

Looks very very very good to me !

 

The serial is 16275366. Caliber 284.

Thanks a lot for your help!

-Rigby

 

looks good to me, maybe @gemini4 could chime in

 

Well, I got my 2996 Ranchero yesterday so I'm no expert.
Looks rather nice but the missing 30mm is curious for sure.
It seems like a early movement number for a 2996 so maybe the dial is a bit different.??
No PAF engravings so that's not pertinent.
Do you have access to a Geiger Counter?
Both the original dial and hands should be radium.

I would call Senior Ranchero Bosses in on this one, @pitpro and @Joe K..

Good luck

 

Well, all of the 2996 Rancheros I have seen had the 30mm, but that does not mean the dial is not original. I think the dial looks good, but I would take Marc's advice and check the dial with a Geiger.

 

Were there two batches of Rancheros? One in North America, and another some time later in Europe?

 

There were 2 rounds of Ranchero production, if this i what you are referring to. The 2990 and 2996 were intended for the international markets and were produced from 1958 for a short period of time. Then in 1976 the line was brought back with a totally different design, intended for sale in the Belgium market.

 

I won't say this is not original at this point, but
some things about it bother me.
The hour hand does not look correct, it's too short.
Look at where the tip hits the arrowheads on the dial
compared to Marc's and others. Minute hand also
looks short but just slightly.
Movement is earlier than the range I am comfortable with.
Movement is marked OXG (meaning United States I believe).
I have never seen this on a Ranchero.
Movement is also marked as Adjusted to(can't read the positions)
I have never seen this on a Ranchero either.(Maybe I missed it, but...)
Crown of course is wrong.
Lume looks kind strange to me when zoomed up. Looks relumed or stabilized,
but cameras can do strange things so I would want to see better pictures or in hand.
Of course the missing 30 mm.- I have never seen a Ranchero without this.
On the other hand, the fonts and script on the dial look pretty decent.
Scratching my head here-

 

This is baffling to me as well. I was about to jump in and say that the "Ranchero" script is off, but it's pretty much on the money. Bizarre that it's missing the "30mm". Playing devil's advocate here, if someone were to fake this dial, why stop short and leave off the 30mm?
I would order an Archive Extract for sure.