Restoring a ranchero - Help

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Gareth556

·Dec 29, 2022

Hi, after many years of searching I’ve finally purchased a Ranchero from a one owners estate. However it’s going to be a project… the crystal needs to be replaced (cracked) and it needs a service. My aim is not to make the watch look brand new. I’d like to retain the original characteristics as much as possible.

Q1 - what crystal should I get? It seems that the 5005 would fit but my ambition is to get an original plexiglass used on the original rancheros with the central omega logo.

Q2 - could anyone recommend a place to take this watch for a service where they would be expert at restoring without loosing the correct aged/patina/vintage character (no replacements or reluming etc) of the watch in and around London?

thanks in advance

Edited: Dec 29, 2022

 

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Syzygy

·Dec 29, 2022

Here's a thread that might help you find a London watchmaker.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/london-watchmaker-recommendations.152347/#post-2075533

Nice find, by the way!

 

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gbesq

·Dec 29, 2022

Take it to Simon Freese for a sympathetic service. There is a difference of opinion among Ranchero owners and experts about whether the model came with an etched crystal (i.e., with the tiny Omega logo in the center), but Omega does currently make an etched crystal that fits perfectly. I should know as I had the worn crystal on my Ranchero replaced when I purchased the watch. 😀 Congratulations on your purchase. Finding an authentic, original Ranchero is no easy feat. Mine says hello.

 

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Larry S

·Dec 29, 2022·Color Commentator for the Hyperbole.

Swiss Time Services or Simon Freese for sure.

 

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janice&fred

·Dec 29, 2022

Oh man please don't re-lume that watch. It's a thing of beauty as-is. Less is more when it comes to re-commissioning a vintage watch 👍

 

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gbesq

·Dec 29, 2022

I'm inclined to agree with Fred on not reluming the watch, but if you should ever decide at some point to proceed, James Hyman is the only person that I would trust to do that kind of work on a rare watch like a Ranchero.
Home (alchemistrelumer.co.uk)

 

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Gareth556

·Dec 29, 2022

janice&fred

Oh man please don't re-lume that watch. It's a thing of beauty as-is. Less is more when it comes to re-commissioning a vintage watch 👍

thanks. That isn’t my intention don’t worry

 

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Gareth556

·Dec 29, 2022

Thanks all for the messages. I knew I could count on you guys.

 

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Gareth556

·Dec 29, 2022

gbesq

Take it to Simon Freese for a sympathetic service. There is a difference of opinion among Ranchero owners and experts about whether the model came with an etched crystal (i.e., with the tiny Omega logo in the center), but Omega does currently make an etched crystal that fits perfectly. I should know as I had the worn crystal on my Ranchero replaced when I purchased the watch. 😀 Congratulations on your purchase. Finding an authentic, original Ranchero is no easy feat. Mine says hello.

This is an exceptional example. Love the rice bead strap too. Cheers for the advice sir.

 

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gbesq

·Dec 29, 2022

Gareth556

This is an exceptional example. Love the rice bead strap too. Cheers for the advice sir.

Thank you! I’m sure that you’ll enjoy yours. It’s a great watch to own and wear.

 

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Davidt

·Dec 29, 2022

Simon F is the obvious choice for such a watch.

 

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M'Bob

·Dec 29, 2022

One word of caution: if those pictures are yours, and not the seller’s: just be careful about breathing in Radium dust. Not great to do even if it’s Tritium…

 

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gbesq

·Dec 29, 2022

M'Bob

One word of caution: if those pictures are yours, and not the seller’s: just be careful about breathing in Radium dust. Not great to do even if it’s Tritium…

Very good point. Leave anything with radium to your watchmaker. Don’t open the case yourself.

 

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Mark020

·Dec 30, 2022·not the sharpest pencil in the ΩF drawer

No clue whether this one fits (and whether you want NOS at all…)