
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Omega Ranchero 30, ref. 2990-1, 1958
- Maker / attribution
- Omega (maker)
- Date
- 1958
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 30 mm
- Stock no.
- vws0637
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws0637)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Omega - Ranchero 30 - Reference 2990-1 - Manufactured 1958 (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws0637), this is a wristwatch by Omega, made in Switzerland, dated 1958. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 30 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist
An Exceptionally Charming Vintage Omega Ranchero 30 in Beautiful Condition with Lots of Charisma, A Model Reference 2990-1, Dated to 1958, A Very Collectible and Rare Piece. The Ranchero was introduced in 1958 and remained in production for less than two years. Its name roughly translated to “ranch hand,” which meant it wasn't particularly popular in Spanish-speaking markets, which led to its eventual discontinuation shortly after its release. This unusually short production run means the model is rather rare and therefore increasingly collectible. For the dedicated vintage Omega collector, the Ranchero is a horological must-have and this is a particularly nice and original example! What’s On Offer The stunning vintage warmth and tone, along with the wonderfully preserved, and crisp dial transform this 'Omega Ranchero 30mm' (Reference 2990-1) into a timeless masterpiece full of character and class. Sleek, unpolished original stainless steel case, uniform smooth white/cream glow to the dial, and vintage patina on the hour batons. A truly beautiful timepiece. The lustrous white dial edition of the Omega Ranchero seen here was only manufactured in 1958, making it a rare, desirable, and collectible watch which has been raising eyebrows amongst watch collectors and dealers for some time. This watch’s beauty lies not only in its rarity, however; the white dial has inherited a vintage radiance with a cream-coloured tone to it which oozes elegance. The darker patinated triangular index hour markers form a two-tone effect around the dial’s circumference and add depth to the vintage feel of this timepiece, accentuated by their jet black tips and the 9, 12, and 3 quarter-hour Arabic numerals. Just above the 6 O’clock index hour marker, there is a sub-seconds dial which is mirrored by Omega’s branding and the Ranchero lettering below the 12. The watch is missing a small part of the lume insert from the arrow tip of the hour hand, however, we felt that the decision to replace this should lie with the watch’s next owner due to concerns of replacement lume inserts compromising this rare and valuable watch’s originality. The 36mm stainless steel case with the original domed crown appears not to have been polished and so bears small cosmetic signs of use, however, these are minor and in line with the watch’s vintage status. There is no denying that this is a truly stunning wristwatch that, like all good things, has improved with age. The vintage textures and tones of the black Arabic numerals, the patinated index hour markers, and the sleek, reflective stainless steel case come together to form a charming, beautiful timepiece that has stood the test of time. Additional information Made from Case: Stainless Steel Dial: White Crystal: Plexiglass Bracelet: Brown Leather Technical specifications Winding: Manual Movement Type: Mechanical Caliber: 267 Jewels: 17 Waterproof: n/a Power reserve: approx. 45hrs Purchase details Condition: Superb Model Reference: 2990-1 Date of issue: 1958 Dimensions Width (without crown): 36mm Lug width: 18mm Lug height: (lug to lug) 44mm Wrist size: Adjustable 96 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Related records
Instruments · 1950–1976
Omega Megaquartz 2400 marine chronometer, 1950–1976
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1960–1979
Stopwatch / timer by Omega, 1960–1979
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1960–1979
Stopwatch / timer by Omega, Switzerland, 1960–1979
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1960–1979
Stopwatch by Omega, Swiss made, single-button type reading 0 - 60 seconds in fifths and 0 - 5 minutes in minutes on subsidiary dial, 1960-79.
Science Museum Group, London
Wristwatches · 1945
Wristwatch by Eterna, 1945
Museum Rotterdam
Wristwatches · c. 1945
Breitling Premier, ref. 790, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1945
Universal Genève Uni-Compax, ref. 22492, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1950s
Baume & Mercier wristwatch, c. 1950s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
