The Omega Ranchero 2990 Cal 267
I’m a difficult blogger to please.
I like A1 condition, originality and a cheap price in my Omega watch purchases, but as they say you can only pick two out of the three.
Here is my Omega Ranchero produced in 1957 and on sale from 1958 I believe, A1 condition and 100% original ;)
What is difficult to show is the dial, a very subtle and visually pleasing silver.
Was 1957 Omega’s finest year?
There is a little something else that makes this watch a little special, once my 1957 collection is complete I will reveal the answer.
Omega Ranchero - 1957 - Caliber 267 - Sub Seconds - NOS
September 14th, 2005 at 1:05 am
Hello Omega Blogger!
I am also a fan of the Ranchero. My black dial, sub-second cal. 267, version was sold to the US Army, January 28, 1959. I found this today at Steve Waddington’s site, http://www.old-omegas.com/, while surfing for Omega information. His site has tremendous information regarding catalogs and manuals. If you haven’t looked before take some time to look in detail at the catalogs. These are the only two advertising references that I have found for the Ranchero!
The first reference, http://www.old-omegas.com/pics/3high/price.jpg, is an Omega price list for 1959, in USD (make sure to enlarge this image by scrolling the bottom right hand corner until you see the symbol then click.) This is from the first 1959 catalog on his site. Note that the Ranchero was the least expensive watch listed and one of the few that did not have a price increase! Also note that the Ranchero came in both regular (sub second) and sweep second versions, the latter costing $10, more!
The second reference, http://www.old-omegas.com/pics/catde59/railmaster.jpg, is from the third 1959 catalog on his site. This shows a black dialed sub-second model, the only picture in advertising that I can find. Note that the same case ref 2990-1, was used for models using other dials. The picture above the Ranchero is a Seamaster in gold plated or filled. I have owned two other stainless 2990-1 with Seamaster dials similar to the one pictured.
Apparently the Ranchero was not a very popular model. It looks like an entry-level version for their professional or “special assignments” line referred to in the first catalog. I guess Omega didn’t promote their lowest price point as much as the higher line models. I have read somewhere a debate on who copied who on the Rolex Explorer type dial, but cannot remember the points or conclusion. These are some of the reasons why the Ranchero is so valuable today.
If you have more information regarding the Ranchero, especially advertising, please share with me.
Regards,
Keith
January 4th, 2006 at 9:51 pm
hello,I have a omega ranchero 2996-1 with a machine caliber 284 ,with a second center and subsidiary second in the sometime, (I think is rare) (sorry for my english),I wait for your coment, thanks,jorge zanetta
January 5th, 2006 at 2:18 pm
Hi Jorge,
I think the 2996 is a great watch, quite rare too. I have one somewhere but with the same ref as the normal ranchro, I’ll try and take some pictures so we can compare.
May 17th, 2006 at 11:46 am
hi….,
i’m good collector of omega’s manual winding watches……. i have alot of watches in omega like RANCHERO’S…….RAILMASTER’S…… and many more……! now i’m searching for omega ranchero’s original dail’s for 2990-1 ….. if any one have contact me as soon as possible……… i hope u hear from soon and reply me as soon as possible……..! e-mail….hand_of_god1@hotmail.com…….mob no …… +92-301-5284838……or english mob no……0044-791-9382693….!!!!!!!!!!
best regards
saboor bashir mirza