Omega's worst flop - the Ranchero

Today we're working on the biggest flop Omega ever released; the Ranchero. It was intended to profit from the 1957 release of the "three musketeers" - the broad arrow Speedmaster, Railmaster and Seamaster 300. It however failed badly and was shelved after only two years. Which makes Rancheros rare and very collectible nowadays.
Join Stian for a full service and repair of this lovely old watch and a discussion of the Ranchero and its movement, the 267! As always we'll go on a few tangents and among other things we right a horrible wrong about woodpecker sounds.
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[@digitaltree515]

Closed-end canon pinion due to no center-seconds hand. And wow, only 40k subs? You really deserve over 100k, man! You are by far not only the best reference channel for me as I learn, but also the most entertaining. I'm excited for every video.

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks, that's very kind of you :) Hopefully with time I'll reach 100k 👍

[@wowzers0_070]

And you did! Congrats.@@VintageWatchServices

[@timothyodonnell8591]

The slo-mo when you drop the case into the cleaning fluid always me makes me smile! Edit: I prefer the sound of the ultrasonic cleaner by a mile / kilometer.

[@stevelaferney3579]

Love the sound of the items dropping into the Elma cleaning solution. So submariner like all it lacks is sonar beeps for the timing. lol

[@bullnose01]

It's great to see Mjölnir is back at work. Outstanding result. The topical dial of the piece is stunning.

[@VintageWatchServices]

😂👍

[@slammermx]

Chevrolet had the same problem with naming a new car "NOVA", they didn't consult someone who spoke Spanish as a first language, when the car debuted in the Latin American market it was a huge flop. Who would buy a car that litterly means "No Go!".

[@1986arseny]

Not exactly true down south. On South America people have a larger integration with Latin, they're most likely to associate the word as the "New" meaning of the word in Latin. Most Novas sold in South America were made in Brazil rebranded as the Opala, which was made after the Nova II of USA. It was most likely out sold by the Ford Ranchero made in Argentina with a cheaper cost, or even outsold by the actual Impala, which was a whole size up, and due to import taxes you'll end up with a really bigger car for only a fraction of the price. Still, Ranchero must be the worst possible name for a watch. In native Spanish is like naming a watch the Hillbilly. No one will actually want it.

[@slammermx]

Nova in English "No va" that was the joke, and it stuck.@@1986arseny

[@demmertp]

That was a good manly hammer sound. It was amazing that the watch ran so well even with all the dirt inside. You did a great job in cleaning up the movement.

[@GordonjSmith1]

As well as the great witch repairing skills on view, the oblique humour is wonderful - love it!

[@JohnWhite-dp9yq]

Another fine video. Terrific sense of humor! And thank you for the history lesson. I've learned a great deal about different manufacturers from the voice over you provide during disassembly. Production values continue to get better and better with each video. I especially like the audio embellishments dropping parts into Elma 1 to 9. Well done!

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks, John ! 😊

[@tonyrome655]

Another great video by the “Bob Ross” of watch repair. Love the closeups, the ASMR and especially the history lessons. Congrats on 40k, you’ll be at 100k before you know it.

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks, Tony! 😊

[@speenlmar9575]

Omega movements of this era are really nice looking, oh and thanks for another epic video.

[@cincy.a.l.w3219]

"It was a childhood dream since way back in the 1970's to have my own KZbin channel" lol, I like this guy 🤣😂

[@psidvicious]

Yes, submerging the hands in water, to remove the radium lume is a great idea. Mainly to prevent any particles from becoming airborne and possibly ingested or inhaled but also because it affords a little shielding from the radiation emanating from the radium. If you think about it, flooding the reactor pool during refueling outages, is exactly how we do it at nuclear power plants. I’ve had the fascinating pleasure of working a few refueling outages, in the containment buildings, at Turkey Point in Florida and they were some of my most memorable working experiences.

[@laszlodenes415]

Movements without a center seconds hand need no hole in the cannon pinion. Your knowledge and steady hands make your videos a pleasure to watch. But best of all, your wry sense of humor got me hooked the very first time I came across your channel. Your (and the Nekkid Watchmaker's) narration often makes me laugh out loud. Keep up the good work.

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks so much 😊

[@craigruff8916]

It would have been interesting to see what the lume with the addition of the paint looks like when it glows in the dark. I don't know how easy that would be to capture on video.

[@carmichaeldale4477]

Great video! What I admire is not just your artisan skills as a watchmaker and narrator, But also your BRAVERY! Most watchmakers in my country will not even touch a watch with radium! One watchmaker said to me that it would contaminate all his tools and equipment and would have to first soak the movement compete in a special watchmaking solution ! He would hen remove all the radium from both the dial and hands in protective clothing! He quoted me over £3000 to service my 1960 Omega because of radium! All it had was 3 radium dots at end of indices. Francesco is lucky to have you put your health at risk!

[@saleendriver]

Yes but for Ford, the name Ranchero is legendary....... Great video sir.

[@bryanlatimer-davies1222]

And Ford plan to re-release it soon !

[@daveram7775]

You are master in repairing and restoring beautiful old mechanical watches and you have very deep knowledge about brands and models and you are wearing a SMARTWATCH ??!?😮

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks! And no, I'm wearing a fitness band on my right wrist 😉

[@bpb235]

Absolutely love your video's. I suffer with very bad anxiety and I've found watching your video's helps when I feel anxious, I think its your calm voice, really helps me relax so thank you 😀

[@VintageWatchServices]

That's very nice to hear 😊

[@The_Great_Hejaz]

Love I learn from you and you my master instructor in Horology ,big love from Saudi Arabia

[@alanmckinnon6791]

40K subscribers? Congratulations Stian that is a pretty substantial amount! I recall when it was less than 100 - those were the "get ready to rumblllllllllllle" days! And I still learn many new things with each of your videos - radon gas, seems obvious now but it had never occurred to me before. Nasty stuff radon.

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks so much Alan, for staying with me through bad joke after bad joke 😁

[@Kali_Kali]

Compared to the sound from the winding stem, the sound of the ultrasonic cleaner is like ASMR, like honey to my ears ☺

[@Ordrock7]

don't forget the clicker spring. Great work Brother

[@eshwarrao7358]

I probably will go for Ultrasonic over the teeth grinding sound.. You have now have 124k subs and more to come. Great work Stian!! - Thanks for good vidoes and that work you do. Lume looks nice on hands, pretty color to match with the dial.

[@brucebarlow6604]

Stian the main reason this watch was running ok pre service was the famous 11 herbs and spices growing inside the internal garden. The best sounds are definitely the hammer time I mean Mr Wood Pecker time. And no reports of trouble in paradise. Keep well from New Zealand 🇳🇿.

[@slashdotism]

Fantastic video my man. I have an Omega 2891-1 pre-Seamaster with the 267 movement and this makes me want to pop it open and service it. I believe the 267 is arguably the best of the 30T2 line since the later iterations with the 268 and 269 just removed some of the more costly aspects of the line to make fabrication cheaper, namely a ring balance instead of a screw balance and a flat hairspring instead of a breguet hairspring. Love the 267 and the 30T2 in general, they were the tanks of the era. Insane longevity and beautiful movements from both an aesthetic and mechanical point of view.

[@eastcoastandy2905]

My 268 has a Breguet hairspring with the plain balance. Early 60s I think.

[@franka9760]

First, congrats on 40,000 subscribers! Pretty amazing if you think about it, and a testament to the consistent quality of your channel. Very nice cleanup work on the Ranchero. The dial is the worse for wear, but then it's been subject to decades of radioactivity. It does give the watch a unique personality.

[@Tape_Recorder]

He is the best Norwegian watchmaker in his village, but he never makes any Norwegian watches.

[@VintageWatchServices]

😁👍

[@stevelaferney3579]

No but I suppose he watches makers?

[@johncollier608]

A lovely old movement and probably look really smart when it was new. A least it lie to tick for a good many years yet. Thanks for sharing, Stian.

[@ccooper8785]

Excellent job on the lume 👍👍👍

[@ygrbooks]

Dear Stian, Thank you for another most beautiful, informative and funny video on a cool watch. It is always a treat to see that you have uploaded a new video, so please continue doing so. 👏👍👌

[@kenvh8569]

Would love it if you got a little UV LED flashlight and showed us the lume at the end as you're showing us the completed piece.

[@borassictime918]

Nice work once again Stian. That radium is really nasty stuff, I think you got the lume colour just right. Shame that the prices of so many vintage models is a bit crazy nowadays. Remarkable foresight to dream in the 1970s of your own successful YT channel, and the artillery barrage was pinpoint accurate, but I prefer the screeching of the sharpening stone to the shushing of the ultrasonic…😆😂🤣

[@VintageWatchServices]

😂👍

[@garyboyle695]

It's kind of sad that people couldn't see by the name of the watch. It's a good looking watch. Excellent vlog as always.

[@richardspacetimeuhrensamml4236]

Wieder eine sehr interessante Renovierung einer in dieser Zeit seltenen Omega. Ich bewundere ihre Perfektion Uhren absolut Top zu reparieren.👑

[@VintageWatchServices]

Vielen Dank!

[@boydsargeant7496]

Another great video Stian! I always love the history and I picked up a couple of nice techniques. No need for a hole through the cannon pinion because of the separate seconds located on the 3rd wheel. Ta ta.

[@zs1dfr]

Would have liked to see the lume luminescing! It looked right!

[@TheSilentsniper1973]

Great restoration love how you talk us through it

[@catherinerall3505]

Love your channel, and yes sub-seconds movement doesn’t need a hollow canon pinion.

[@wspaulding89]

That's very cool, you knew you wanted to be in KZbin. Back in the 70s, not many people were taking that route.

[@VintageWatchServices]

😁👍

[@onlyvintagewatches]

Nice work on the Ranchero! I have an almost identical watch on the bench at the moment... but it is the "Seachero", black dial center seconds hand. The hands I believe are not orignal and the dial was reworked. Yet it is a very nice timepiece.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Well that was a masterclass of watchmaking. Shows that I have a very long way to go in my watchmaking journey. I have to say that not only is your work excellent but your camera work is brilliant. How you got that shot of oiling the pallet fork and the spinning balance. Absolute quality. I noticed the click spring left on the green mat on the cleaning part, intentional? The removal of lume in water was such a great idea. I do still wonder how you are supposed to dispose of the lume. It is why I have never attempted a relume on a radium hand. Lastly humbled that you know who I am, when I see you professionals at work I would think you guys would cringe watching my self taught attempts at everything.

[@VintageWatchServices]

Hello Mike, I love your channel, your delivery and your curiosity! It was one of the first watch repair channels I remember subscribing to, and as you might have seen I also have a fondness for Seiko. I've also followed your health struggles and am very happy to see you're doing better 💪 I clean the tiniest parts separately as they risk getting bent sticking out through the mesh in the cleaning basket. And here in Switzerland there's a little tank in the local dump where we can put those types of waste :) It's not plutonium anyway and the health risks are somewhat exaggerated as long as one do not ingest it.

[@matthewmctaff2022]

Never mind 50K Stein, I’m looking forward to seeing the silver play button on your wall. Though it may take you a while to respond to all the comments, as you currently do.😂 no need to say, another excellent video! KZbin in your teens,,,hmmm, next, you’ll be driving a DeLorean.

[@VintageWatchServices]

😂👍

[@RobKristjansson]

Great video as always, Stian! I always thought I'd start with servicing my own watches. They're all... "value priced", I'll say, and with Seiko or Miyota movements. So if I really f*** it up, I can just replace the movement. That makes sense, eh?

[@VintageWatchServices]

It does!

[@mojofilterenterprises2450]

Beautifully done! I love the dial just the way it is - and now its matching hands. I noticed as you were applying the new crystal, that it appears to be Omega (tiny Omega in center of inside). Curious about the source, as I thought Swatch had all the OEM stuff tied up. BTW, the problem with 40,000 subscribers is sifting through all the comments to see if my question has already been asked ;-) Best, 1 of 40K (aka - Tim)

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks so much, Tim! I have my own stock of crystals for the time being, but they are indeed very difficult to come by...

[@stavros_katsopr]

Oh yes, back in the 70's, when everybody asked me what would i like to be in the future, i - also - was dreaming to be a KZbinr. Luckily i became an animal's doctor astronaut, specialized in football and architecture. I now train other cowboys, fulfill their dreams becoming indians in space. Only time will tell if those feathers can stand zero gravity and space preasures, you'll soon find out, on an episode of my YT channel. Stay tuned. Cheers Stian, you never stop amazing me with your "sneaky" (in low voice) humor. Be well mate... ta ta!

[@VintageWatchServices]

😂👍

[@tinus8513]

That is a sweet looking watch! And the gunk/dirt is lovely😉.

[@red75v67]

Always knew you were ahead of your time Stian but dreaming of KZbin subs as a kid is something else! Superb video as ever.

[@VintageWatchServices]

😁 Thanks Howard :)

[@bryanparks9316]

Very nice job. Congrats on 40K subs.

[@the-chillian]

That delicious tension between "Until then..." and "...ta-ta." You never know how long it's going to be. Has me on the edge of my seat every time.

[@VintageWatchServices]

😂👍

[@tiberiuvincze8288]

Hello, a very nice mechanism I think chronometer grade! Vey nice! and it's not written on the dial ! I manage to straighten up that Omega pocket watch only by hand !

[@VintageWatchServices]

Well done, Tiberiu! That's not easy :)

[@JochenVogel]

Lovely watch and a competent service, as always. And I love the stories, You can tell about the watches and their history. Until next week, I hope.

[@VintageWatchServices]

Until next time, Jochen 👍

[@speedypaul2314]

Maybe because they didn't sell well omega might actually have a replacement crown. Great video. Thanks

[@rodrigodiaz5003]

Great video thank you very much! And also for all of the content of the channel, instructive and funny

[@VintageWatchServices]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tommyherbert3931]

My first time watching. Enjoyed what I saw. You know your watchs.

[@VintageWatchServices]

Welcome aboard!

[@WristwatchMedic1953]

A beautiful watch. Thank you for the video. I always enjoy watching.

[@mikebruegger8654]

Interesting. Nice lume work

[@jayruggiero1315]

Don't forget that tiny click spring in the wash. At 9:40 ish...Great channel, excellent content. Keep up the good work.

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks Jay! Those tiny parts I clean separately, as they risk getting bent in between the mesh in the basket :)

[@gromit1996]

These '3 Amigos' as you all them are some of my favourite dials and designs. Thank you again for your videos and humour. My vote is for neither the ultrasonic nor the "file". You could play soothing German/Norwegian folk music in the background while the case gets its bath.

[@VintageWatchServices]

😁👍

[@glennpearce7093]

Yeah congrats I’ve been watching your channel since the early days you make great content 😊

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks, Glenn! 👍

[@LambentOrt]

Cool video. That's a beautiful watch... I don't understand why it was a flop.

[@cesarnovoa9351]

Even the pieces you service on each of your entertaining videos are of a vintage kind, is a little frustrating to never see you cleaning-restoring the dials. Hope you include that too to make your work, your channel more attractive. Kudos for your 40K more suscribers. I am one of them since a long time.

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks for being a loyal subscriber! I pretty much always clean off the dials, but there isn't much that can be done to most marks on old dials. There are a lot of fake videos out there where people seemingly make a damaged dial look new again but that just isn't possible in real life. Rubbing on a dial to remove old dirt will inevitably destroy it. I did restore a dial on a Zenith 40T a long time back and there will be another couple of restored dials coming up. If a dial is too far gone, there is no other solution, but an old dial in nice condition is still a better option in my view :)

[@kswaminathan5439]

Another great video from the master craftsman Stian. I have an Omega watch with the same movement, but it is a seamaster. I guess they only change the dial design and the case but fitted with the same movement. Anyway, enjoyed this video.

[@michaellawrence6677]

Great video and great research into the watches. I love learning new things from you.

[@davidobrien9362]

Love,LOVE the Ranchero,with the shark teeth index's and white dial,maybe not the Omega one?.but I'm sure it was.

[@mustafabhatti5893]

Great Performance 👍❤️

[@SolimBD]

Thanks for video

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

Hey clean that dial! 😂 It's beautiful, it reminds me of natural slate from the region I live in 😍

[@davidhendricksgolfprofessi2321]

Yet another great resto and education in the world of watches. I've said it before that I have no idea how you only have 40 K subcribers. The work, education and skill you show in every job you do blows others out of the water that are doing similar content. Please keep it up! I check everyday for a new video and when I am lucky to get one my day is made. Thank You for what you do!!! Question-With the absence of a crown tube does this make this watch a bit more toxic? Just wondering if it emits more that one with all in place.

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks so much, David 😊 Yes, the absence of the crown tube would make the radon gas escape the case a little bit easier, but all in all it wouldn't be much of a difference in danger levels.

[@marianniculae]

Because i was the first who appreciate your video today, also i want to congrat you for the Omega resto. With a plus to the radium protection method that you use...

[@hockeyrd99]

I know the chemicals are expensive, but rather than do all that scraping and creating all that dirt, I keep my dirty chemicals to give the dirtiest parts a pre-cleaning... although I am using ultrasound so it maybe easier to swap out the chemicals. Also, I find if I let the hands set in the water for a few minutes before trying to remove the lume, the water softens it up so it comes off easier.

[@tomcat561]

I laughed a little bit too much at the hammer sounds. 😂😂😂

[@VintageWatchServices]

😂👍

[@jamessmith6402]

What a pleasure to watch 👍 thanks

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks, James 😊

[@Silviu.]

Great video! Lovely watch! I would have liked a lume shot.

[@MrLukealbanese]

Excellent Stian 😊😊

[@MidnightWatches]

Nice to see you using the hands in water trick ;)

[@Ptrmrkks]

Omega released the 1957 trilogy set paying tribute to the three watches mentioned I believe

[@nedhourani]

Very therapeutic, 🥰 subscribed.

[@VintageWatchServices]

😊👍

[@randyallen2771]

Pretty good looking for a flop. Maybe the small seconds hand threw folks off. Anyway, thanks for sharing. I love these old copper plated Omega movements. Congratulations on the well deserved success of your channel. 🎉

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks Randy!

[@hockeyrd99]

Regarding the lume on the dial, I have found that sometimes dabbing the markers with a damp cotton swab will lighten up the lume by removing some dirt that has accumulated on the lume. Doesn't always work, but I will usually do a test on one marker.

[@wioras603]

This chanel is gold! Thanks for sharing your knowledge :)

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks for watching! 😊

[@MyRetroWatches]

HI Stian, Just watching this now. Long time viewer of your channel. Looing forward to seeing what you do with this one.

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks Mike!

[@guataco]

I like the result and even the name.

[@rbruce63]

It's very nice, the watch -perhaps the name should have been the Mountaineer- evoking Rolex's Explorer series!

[@jeffnyhus5461]

great video. i am subscribing... i liked humor alot, the best was the scratching you keep on loop in the evenings so you can relax... hahaha

[@tiberiuvincze8288]

Glad to see your channel at 40k , congratulations , and one month until 50k?

[@VintageWatchServices]

That would be nice :)

[@marcotis5126]

Great video. It would be great if you mentioned the oils you use when reassembling a watch. I like the channel tremendously. Thank you.

[@rickseconds7676]

It's a beauty!

[@electrohoard]

I had the exact same experience. Bought a Breitling Avenger that had a standard ETA movement, the rest was original and was in great shape. It was a full set, docs and papers. Luckly I always open watches that I get to make sure everything is genuine. I still dont get why someone would replace a movement on a watch less than 6 years old and in pristine condition. Contacted the seller and got my money back.

[@VintageWatchServices]

👍

[@electrohoard]

I was replying to a video on my ipad and the comment went to this video, which was the next one on my playlist! That is weird! Sorry for that, and great video btw.

[@CeesMaas]

Very nice video again! Thanks!

[@economicsandguitarsandsome1722]

Love the hammer effects. LOL. (No center seconds hand)

[@gregcapella5941]

THANKS,,,GOOD INFO

[@TheUncleRuckus]

Attempt number 3 to watch this, I fell asleep twice while watching this last night and I'm determined to get through it lol. I didn't fall asleep bc I found it uninteresting but bc it's relaxing. 👍👍 For someone that didn't wear it very often it sure got dirty as hell. 😂

[@VintageWatchServices]

😁👍

[@jamespourtoy]

..and for information the other ranchero was sold also two years only in Belgium 😉

[@67nearmint]

It is said that Thor was born in a cave somewhere in Norway. Little did we know that after Loki released Fenrir Greyback and ushered in the Apocalypse of Ragnarok, Thor made for Switzerland and uses Mjolnir to reduce the size of pivot holes in vintage watches. A worthy use of his godly powers in his Autumn years.

[@VintageWatchServices]

🤣👍

[@mwk9473]

I think that the hunt for the right crown doesn't need to be confined to looking for what'll be sold as a Ranchero crown. The crown, and probably thus also the stem tube, would have likely been designed to fit multiple references. The Ranchero itself was a rebranding of a Seamaster bearing the same reference. Still, sourcing Omega parts is an absolute nightmare.

[@VintageWatchServices]

Sadly, this crown is in fact quite unique and as far as I found only used in the Ranchero, which makes it very difficult to find

[@romanmechetnerful]

This cannon pinion does have a hole. Its the extended pivot that is solid.

[@jasonmaccoul]

I loved the Thor’s Hammer sound effects! I do have a question: will jewels always be a part of future watchmaking, or will another synthetic substance be used to counter friction and improve timekeeping? Love the technical and humorous side of your channel.

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks Jason! Who lives will see, but the harder a polished material is, the less friction it will provide.

[@da___man]

I know it would have been a challenge, but if you could have relumed the dial as well, I think that watch would look amazing.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

That's an art in itself, I think I've seen up to date only 2 retouched dials watches I'd like to own. If successful it would be pretty rad but ... What a gamble, I wouldn't.

[@drbobsnightmare2521]

I think I preferred the first noise. As for the hands. When you were mixing the lume I thought it was too dark but after it dried perhaps it could have been a little bit darker. You must do your nails before the macro shots I think.

[@VintageWatchServices]

It's difficult to find the right color indeed. And for my nails: I film these videos during a workday, which sometimes literally includes getting my hands dirty... It comes with the territory :)

[@LCMNUNES1962]

PENA Q MORO LONGE D VOCÊ, AQUI NO BRASIL É DIFÍCIL ACHAR BONS RELOJOEIROS ASSIM IGUAL A VOCÊ 👍👍 🇧🇷

[@singlespeedman]

Thanks!

[@VintageWatchServices]

Thanks so much to you, Craig!