Omega Seamaster Seachero

Lot 203 in The Watch Sale on 10^th February is an unusual Omega gold plated Seamaster ‘Seachero’ wrist watch. Steven Yambo, Senior Specialist from the Watch Department at Fellows, has been discussing one of the more intriguing watches in the February 2020 Watch Sale. Usually watches that have reference 2990-1 are branded as Ranchero’s and were for export markets such as North America. However, this example has a Seamaster dial and was exclusively manufactured for the Swedish market. It was thought by Omega that the name ‘Ranchero’ would not go down well with the Swedish customers so the dial was exchanged with a Seamaster dial and the hands were also altered. The watch has been given the nickname ‘Seachero’, a mix of Seamaster and Ranchero, to relate to its link to the original Ranchero name. It seems that Omega were correct in changing the name for this Swedish market. Despite the original dial and hand configuration being sought-after today it was originally a sales flop. It was thought this was due to the name, it was thought that the watch encountered resistance in Spanish-speaking countries from prospective suitors who were hesitant due to its name, which means ‘ranch hand’ in Spanish. Due to this the name Ranchero only lasted 2 years, and original Rancheros can command high prices. The last one we sold was back in 2017 and achieved a hammer price of £4,300. Steven Yambo, Senior Specialist from the Watch Department This quite rare and unusual watch has an estimate of £360-460. Viewing for the sale is on Tuesday 4^th February from midday to 7pm in London, Wednesday 5 February 9.30am - 11am at our London office, Saturday 8 February 11am - 4pm in Birmingham and on the morning of the sale, on Tuesday 10 February  8.30am - 11am at our Birmingham saleroom.