Thoughts on this 2996 Seachero

bigsom · Mar 7, 2019

This is my first foray into Ranchero/Seachero territory, but thought this example looked nice. Dial has some spotty aging around the edges at markers, but nothing too terrible I think.

Inside is a caliber 285 manual wind with serial 17.8 mil and the inside case back is marked 2996-4. Crystal looks to have the omega logo as well which was a nice bonus I didn't expect.

My understanding is that these center seconds versions aren't as common. Initially bought it thinking maybe I'll convert it to a ranchero - but I actually like the looks of the this "Seachero" non luminous version.

I'm no expert by any means, would greatly appreciate your guys/gals' thoughts on it.

cvrle1 · Mar 8, 2019

If it is stamped 2996-4 inside, I think that either this dial and hands do not belong to this watch, or caseback was changed and it doesnt belong to this watch.

This is what dial and hands of Seachero should look like as far as I know

To me that dial and hands look like you regular every day Seamaster. I could be completely wrong, but I cant say I ever saw Seachero looking that way before.

tdn-dk · Mar 8, 2019

Think it could be a put together.

But there are no knowing for sure on those "Seachero's" 😀

My comment's

All the 2996 I have owned have had a caliber 284
Never seen a -4
The Seamaster dial on the ones I have owned have had the special Omega logo on the dial, not the normal logo and other index type.
Never seen one with stick hands, guess they were later in the 1960's

bigsom · Mar 8, 2019

My understanding was that there were not many rules for seacheros as the dials and hands were swapped at the point of sale retailer given the poor reception of the Ranchero. Do I have this wrong? Couldn't a retailer put any dial and hand set they wanted as long as it would fit the 30mm movement?

Also the movement being a 285 (as the evolution of the 284)... Wouldn't that make sense for a later 2996-4 with 17.8 mil serial?

tdn-dk · Mar 8, 2019

bigsom
My understanding was that there were not many rules for seacheros as the dials and hands were swapped at the point of sale retailer given the poor reception of the Ranchero. Do I have this wrong? Couldn't a retailer put any dial and hand set they wanted as long as it would fit the 30mm movement?

Also the movement being a 285 (as the evolution of the 284)... Wouldn't that make sense for a later 2996-4 with 17.8 mil serial?

I am only given my observations 😀 there are no rules og al sort of variations is seen. In the 2990, I have had both cal. 267 and 268 so maybe a late 2996 could be a cal. 285 😀

bigsom · Mar 8, 2019

cvrle1
If it is stamped 2996-4 inside, I think that either this dial and hands do not belong to this watch, or caseback was changed and it doesnt belong to this watch.

This is what dial and hands of Seachero should look like as far as I know

To me that dial and hands look like you regular every day Seamaster. I could be completely wrong, but I cant say I ever saw Seachero looking that way before.

This is interesting, and I wonder how you came to this conclusion. You think the caseback has been changed to a 2996-4 from another 2996 iteration? The mid case is clearly a 2996 case.

The fact that the dial is switched is to be expected I believe. These watches all shipped with Ranchero dials and were switched to other 30mm dials based on the market and point of sale. I do not think that the only dial switched to was the black dagger lume dial you posted, there are several center seconds 2996s with other dials.

tdn-dk
I am only given my observations 😀 there are no rules og al sort of variations is seen. In the 2990, I have had both cal. 267 and 268 so maybe a late 2996 could be a cal. 285 😀

I agree, all sorts of variations. It seems to me a dealer would be able to switch the dial to whatever dial was selling well in 1960 or whenever the watch was sold. In fact, isn't that the dogmatic OF line with these "transformed" Rancheros?

Would be interested if there was any rigorous scholarship on these anywhere. Thanks again for your comments guys!

cvrle1 · Mar 8, 2019

Considering Ranchero's were never popular when they came out, I can see why someone would want to switch dial and hands for more desirable one at that time. If everything checks out and points to Ranchero (caseback, mid case, serial number, movement, etc) then above most likely happened. With that said, I would still not call this a Seachero, precisely because dial and hands were replaced for regular Seamaster ones. I wouldnt go as far as calling it frankenwatch either, but it is not all original as well.

If you are 100% sure that this was a Ranchero/Seachero originally, I would try to find a set of matching dial and hands for it, to restore it to what it looked like out of factory (might be easier said than done). Just my 2c of course

bigsom · Mar 8, 2019

cvrle1
Considering Ranchero's were never popular when they came out, I can see why someone would want to switch dial and hands for more desirable one at that time. If everything checks out and points to Ranchero (caseback, mid case, serial number, movement, etc) then above most likely happened. With that said, I would still not call this a Seachero, precisely because dial and hands were replaced for regular Seamaster ones. I wouldnt go as far as calling it frankenwatch either, but it is not all original as well.

If you are 100% sure that this was a Ranchero/Seachero originally, I would try to find a set of matching dial and hands for it, to restore it to what it looked like out of factory (might be easier said than done). Just my 2c of course

I see what you're saying. I agree this isn't a seachero by your definition... It's a transformed Ranchero. A seachero would be no different, correct? It was modified with a non original dial and hands at the point of sale. Seachero extracts refer to the watches as Ranchero from the evidence I've seen posted here on OF... So they would be just as modified as this watch.

Do you have any evidence or historical information as to why a black dialed dagger dial would be any "more correct" or likely than a regular dial transplanted after manufacture?

ConElPueblo · Mar 8, 2019

Anecdotal "evidence" only from me too, but I agree with @tdn-dk that the hands and dial is different from what I have seen on other transformed Rancheros. The normally have dagger hands and lumed dials.

marturx · Mar 8, 2019

Me thinks OP´s watch is a Franken

Personally I wouldn´t touch it with a tongue. Overpolished case too

bigsom · Mar 8, 2019

marturx
Me thinks OP´s watch is a Franken

Personally I wouldn´t touch it with a tongue. Overpolished case too

My slober is all over it Martin!

The lighting makes the case seemed over polished, it's not.

cvrle1 · Mar 8, 2019

bigsom
I see what you're saying. I agree this isn't a seachero by your definition... It's a transformed Ranchero. A seachero would be no different, correct? It was modified with a non original dial and hands at the point of sale. Seachero extracts refer to the watches as Ranchero from the evidence I've seen posted here on OF... So they would be just as modified as this watch.

Do you have any evidence or historical information as to why a black dialed dagger dial would be any "more correct" or likely than a regular dial transplanted after manufacture?

In my mind, and others may think differently, to me it is more correct because it looks like Ranchero dial, it just doesnt say Ranchero on it. Dial and hands on one you posted is completely different that Ranchero would be.

Dial of the 2 watches above are pretty much identical to a Ranchero, it just says Seamaster instead.

Dial on this one doesnt look close to Ranchero

In the end, who cares what I think really. If you are happy with your watch, thats all it matters. 😀

bigsom · Mar 8, 2019

cvrle1
In my mind, and others may think differently, to me it is more correct because it looks like Ranchero dial, it just doesnt say Ranchero on it. Dial and hands on one you posted is completely different that Ranchero would be.

Dial of the 2 watches above are pretty much identical to a Ranchero, it just says Seamaster instead.

Dial on this one doesnt look close to Ranchero

In the end, who cares what I think really. If you are happy with your watch, thats all it matters. 😀

I care what you think buddy! Thanks for your thoughts 😀

marturx · Mar 8, 2019

Hope you didn´t buy it Som?

I was just trying to help you avoid a bad purchase

bigsom · Mar 8, 2019

marturx
Hope you didn´t buy it Som?

I was just trying to help you avoid a bad purchase

Oh I bought it and love it!

tamura · Mar 9, 2019

I love the seacheros too...

marturx · Mar 9, 2019

bigsom
Oh I bought it and love it!

Good! That´s all that matters.

Out of curiousity, it would be interesting to see an Extract for this one

marturx · Mar 9, 2019

tamura
I love the seacheros too...

Of these 5, I recognize the 2 dial configurations to the right. The 3 to the left I´ve not seen before

Any more info regarding them?

tamura · Mar 9, 2019

The version on the left is not really uncommon.
https://antique-watchlife.com/23394.html
https://www.amazon.co.jp/オメガ-REF-2996-1SC-シーマスター-ランチェロケース-30ミリキャリバー/dp/B07J67HHFN
https://ameblo.jp/awatchlife/entry-12410766627.html
The one in the middle, I have seen in the forum before.

bigsom · Mar 9, 2019

tamura
I love the seacheros too...

Thank you very much, very useful. Some non luninous versions there with dial configurations like mine. I think this really gives gives credence that these watches were modified differently based on the retailer who had them in stock at the time.

tamura
The version on the left is not really uncommon.
https://antique-watchlife.com/23394.html
https://www.amazon.co.jp/オメガ-REF-2996-1SC-シーマスター-ランチェロケース-30ミリキャリバー/dp/B07J67HHFN
https://ameblo.jp/awatchlife/entry-12410766627.html
The one in the middle, I have seen in the forum before.

Interestingly my non luminous stick hands also was found in Japan.

Thoughts on this 2996 Seachero

bigsom

cvrle1

tdn-dk

bigsom

tdn-dk

bigsom

cvrle1

bigsom

ConElPueblo

marturx

bigsom

cvrle1

bigsom

marturx

bigsom

tamura

marturx

marturx

tamura

bigsom

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