Seachero 2990-1 or FrankenSeamaster?

[ChooChoo]

Hey all - Long-time lurker, first-time poster. I'm a bit lost on a Seamaster that I've been offered, and I'm trying to figure out if it's a Ranchero one of the many Seamaster variants. An estate company I've worked with for a few years is prepping a sale, and found a box of watches in storage, and this was in there.

Initially, the dial looks like the 2990-1s I'm finding online. However, there are two things that are kind of throwing me off. The first is that the lugs look thicker than the other 2990-1s I'm seeing, and they look like soldered lugs rather than one smooth line.

Second is the caseback. Most 2990-1 casebacks I've seen only have Waterproof stamped on, but this one has Seamaster also stamped on.


Finally, the crown looks a bit out of the norm. I have found some that have a similar crown, but I'm kind of assuming this was a replacement. Perhaps not, but I know next to nothing about Seamasters, Rancheros, and Seacheros.

The seller is going to take it to a watchmaker to open the case back and take photos, but they're not sure when they are going to get to that, and I'm looking to get my research in now. I would love and appreciate the collective wisdom and encyclopedic knowledge of this crowd. Thanks!

Edited: Mar 19, 2024

 

[seekingseaquest]

Nothing ranchero about it. It’s a 2759 ref manual wind Seamaster with it’s quite rare original crown (only 2759 and 2761 had this crown).

 

[ChooChoo]

seekingseaquest

Nothing ranchero about it. It’s a 2759 ref manual wind Seamaster with it’s quite rare original crown (only 2759 and 2761 had this crown).

Aah! That's why I love this forum. I know a bit about speedy's and other sport watches, but nothing about Seamasters. Thank you!

 

[gbesq]

seekingseaquest has it exactly right. Seacheros come with several different styles of dials and hands, but they will all have a Ranchero 2990/2996 case. Here’s an example from my collection.

 

[ChooChoo]

gbesq

seekingseaquest has it exactly right. Seacheros come with several different styles of dials and hands, but they will all have a Ranchero 2990/2996 case. Here’s an example from my collection.

That's a good looking watch!

 

[Zapatta]

gbesq

different styles of dials and hands

Ohhh yeaaaah