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·Hi,
Strange times presently so hope you are all keeping safe and well.
With considerably more spare time on my hands of late I decided to pull together my records on the Omega 2990-1 Ranchero which I have researched and collected information on for a while now.
My interest in this model stems from an appreciation of its brethren 2913, 2914 & of course the 2915, the famous 1957 Trilogy.
My records currently hold 82, 2990-1 Rancheros, their serial numbers ( some in part based on information available ) details of Dial, Hands, Lume, Crown and Crystal.
I have of course seen many more photos of other watches that I do not currently have recorded, obviously without access to their serial numbers I am unable to record them.
My records are completely anonymous, I do not keep a record of the owner as this information can be viewed as sensitive. My records are purely for collating and recording numbers and details of this Ranchero reference.
Ok, so below are some details which I have picked out from my records that hopefully you will find interesting......
of the 82 recorded ....
29 have Omega EOA’s,
5 were delivered to Army/Air force
9 were delivered to Italy ( most popular country based on my records )
28 have White Dials ( roughly equating to 2:1 ) so white dials are rarer, you’ll likely see 2 Black to 1 White
Serial numbers I have recorded range from 15,2**,*** to 17,7**,***
with 5 in the 15M range and 13 in the 17M range
( in the 17M range there are 5 redials including the 17,7**,*** serial I have recorded but there are 2 original ones delivered to the forces according to EOA’s )
Of the 82 recorded only 17 have signed crystals, 9 of which I know are replacements.
Now, to date I have not found conclusive evidence that the Ranchero 2990-1 was fitted with a signed crystal when new. I am aware of only 1 surviving NOS example and that appears to have an unsigned crystal.
I am aware of the specific Omega crystal (5005) for this reference case however this isn't evidence that the crystals on Rancheros were all signed, the 2990 case is also a Seamaster reference case. They weren’t necessarily all signed.
If anyone can provide any evidence either way it would be gratefully received.
You will all be aware too that finding an original Ranchero isn’t easy, if they are original they often have replaced Bowler crowns or replaced Broad Arrow hands both of which are integral parts of a 2990-1 Ranchero.
54 of the 82 I have recorded have either incorrect crowns or hands. (This equates to only 1 in 3 being correct)
..... and then there’s the dials ..... aftermarket dials, fakes and many, many original dials that have been relumed, either early on during a service or more recently to freshen dials up.
All these factors go toward making this watch very difficult to source in original condition, but what a fabulous watch it is
I hope you have found my obsession interesting ( if not a little crazy )
If any of you would care to share your Ranchero’s details and add to my records please do not hesitate to DM me. As stated, any information given will be kept strictly anonymous.
Strange times presently so hope you are all keeping safe and well.
With considerably more spare time on my hands of late I decided to pull together my records on the Omega 2990-1 Ranchero which I have researched and collected information on for a while now.
My interest in this model stems from an appreciation of its brethren 2913, 2914 & of course the 2915, the famous 1957 Trilogy.
My records currently hold 82, 2990-1 Rancheros, their serial numbers ( some in part based on information available ) details of Dial, Hands, Lume, Crown and Crystal.
I have of course seen many more photos of other watches that I do not currently have recorded, obviously without access to their serial numbers I am unable to record them.
My records are completely anonymous, I do not keep a record of the owner as this information can be viewed as sensitive. My records are purely for collating and recording numbers and details of this Ranchero reference.
Ok, so below are some details which I have picked out from my records that hopefully you will find interesting......
of the 82 recorded ....
29 have Omega EOA’s,
5 were delivered to Army/Air force
9 were delivered to Italy ( most popular country based on my records )
28 have White Dials ( roughly equating to 2:1 ) so white dials are rarer, you’ll likely see 2 Black to 1 White
Serial numbers I have recorded range from 15,2**,*** to 17,7**,***
with 5 in the 15M range and 13 in the 17M range
( in the 17M range there are 5 redials including the 17,7**,*** serial I have recorded but there are 2 original ones delivered to the forces according to EOA’s )
Of the 82 recorded only 17 have signed crystals, 9 of which I know are replacements.
Now, to date I have not found conclusive evidence that the Ranchero 2990-1 was fitted with a signed crystal when new. I am aware of only 1 surviving NOS example and that appears to have an unsigned crystal.
I am aware of the specific Omega crystal (5005) for this reference case however this isn't evidence that the crystals on Rancheros were all signed, the 2990 case is also a Seamaster reference case. They weren’t necessarily all signed.
If anyone can provide any evidence either way it would be gratefully received.
You will all be aware too that finding an original Ranchero isn’t easy, if they are original they often have replaced Bowler crowns or replaced Broad Arrow hands both of which are integral parts of a 2990-1 Ranchero.
54 of the 82 I have recorded have either incorrect crowns or hands. (This equates to only 1 in 3 being correct)
..... and then there’s the dials ..... aftermarket dials, fakes and many, many original dials that have been relumed, either early on during a service or more recently to freshen dials up.
All these factors go toward making this watch very difficult to source in original condition, but what a fabulous watch it is
I hope you have found my obsession interesting ( if not a little crazy )
If any of you would care to share your Ranchero’s details and add to my records please do not hesitate to DM me. As stated, any information given will be kept strictly anonymous.
Edited:
