Omega Ranchero

Introduced in 1958, the Ranchero was meant to be Omega’s successor to the Railmaster and Seamaster. 

Unlike those two watches — tough, purpose-driven, designed for specific professions or pastimes — the Ranchero was meant to do it all, really. Though with the same waterproof case and robust hand-wound movement as its sportier brethren, the Ranchero’s slimmer profile meant that it could — like Ford’s Ranchero — do double duty for both work and play. The thinness of the crystal, coupled with the slim case, makes the dial truly stand out, an effect that Omega used in many of its dress watches. And the dial of the Ranchero owes much to the Railmaster, with its large luminescent triangles at the hour markers and ‘broad arrow’ hands.

With all that the Ranchero had going for it, it should have been a success. By rights it should have sold as well as its automotive counterpart, the Ford Ranchero, which sold well over 508,000 units. However, the Omega Ranchero did not prove to be the runaway hit that the Seamaster was, and Omega discontinued production in 1958, selling off the last remaining units in 1959.

And despite a limited run in Belgium in the 1970s, that was the last anyone saw of the Ranchero. That is, until intrepid collectors realized that the watch had all the style and lineage of the Railmaster and Seamaster, but without any of the hype. Now, the Ranchero enjoys popularity on the vintage watch market.

This particular Ranchero dates to circa 1958 and features a 35mm stainless steel case with an acrylic crystal, a signed crown, a polished bezel, and a black dial with printed quadrant 'Arabic' indices, a matching ‘broad arrow’ handset, and sub-seconds at 6:00.

Powered by Omega's Calibre 267 hand-cranking movement, it comes fitted to a fantastic stainless steel 'beads-of-rice' bracelet with a signed blade clasp.

These watches were designed to be worn everyday, and worn hard. This ones ready for a new life of adventure a full 70 years after it was born.

It doesn't get much better than this for a versatile vintage piece that is up to daily wear.

The story of Omega is one that captivates generations of horological devotees. The second-largest watchmaker in the world in terms of annual turnover, the Bienne-based firm has been continuously producing watches since 1848, which it does today under the auspices of the Swatch Group.

Founded in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland as La Generale Watch Co, Omega was well ahead of the horological curve from the beginning, developing the first minute-repeating wristwatch in 1892 as well as the eponymous “Omega” caliber in 1894. This 19-ligne movement was revolutionary in that its parts could be replaced by any watchmaker in the world without modification, while its winding and time-setting via the crown provided an industry standard.

Omega became the timepiece supplier of choice for the British Royal Flying Corps in 1917, while the Americans followed suit in 1918, choosing their watches for the U.S. Army. Awards for precision chronometry became almost commonplace, while 1932 saw them become the first watch brand to time an entire Olympic Games. Their Marine, which debuted the same year, is regarded as the first commercially available diver’s watch.

During the Second World War, Omega supplied well over 100,000 timepieces to British forces, making it the largest watch supplier to the British and her allies. These watches, from the unique 6B/159 to the famed “Dirty Dozen” W.W.W, remain highly collectible today.

1948 saw the launch of the original Seamaster: Built upon the tool watch legacy of the brand’s timepieces from the War, it’s since become a byword for reliability and legibility, both as a dress watch and, more recently, as a serious diver’s tool. The Speedmaster, released in 1957 and originally marketed for the auto-racing market, first rocketed to space on the wrist of American astronaut Wally Schirra in 1962. However, it became a household name when, in 1969, it accompanied Buzz Aldrin on the Moon, and later helped save the space-stranded crew of Apollo 13 in 1970 by timing a critical rocket burn.

Today, Omega’s watches — all of which feature in-house movements — run the gamut from svelte dress pieces to the venerable Speedmaster in all its guises. Providing an unquestionable value proposition, Omega is a brand that deserves to be at the center of every serious watch lover’s collection.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.