Omega ref. CK2996 Seamaster "Ranchero", manual winding, stainless steel wristwatch issued to Pakistan Air Force in 1960.
Case: Two-body, polished and brushed, curved lugs, snap on case back. Issue number and PAF engraved on case back. Case has been polished but retains very thick lugs and definition. Light marks overall consistent with a Military issued watch.
Dial: Black with painted luminous "Explorer style" Arabic quarters and luminous dart indexes, outer minute divisions, central sweep seconds dial. Luminous steel dauphine hands. Dial has taken a dark brown tone and luminous has aged to a bright yellow hue. Some of the tritium markers have lost their original shape due to humidity. Dial is original signed Omega and Seamaster in gilt
Manual. Cal. 285, copper-colored, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self compensating Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Watch is working within COSC.
Watch comes with Omega Extract of Archives confirming Watch was sold to Pakistan Air Force on August 22nd, 1960.
Diameter: 36mm Thickness: 10mm
More about Omega:
In the late 1950s, Omega Watch company received an order of Railmaster from the Pakistani Air Force. These Railmaster with its highly legible dial, explorer style numerals and sweep second hand. These Railmasters were fitted with screw back cases with the Seahorse logo. For some reason, they wanted these Railmasters to be signed "Seamaster" and Omega obliged. The dials were signed "Omega Seamaster" and so were the case backs" with a Pakistan Air Force "PAF" engraving.
The Railmaster "Seamasters" were issued exclusively to pilots, all Pakistani Air force officers, and they became a very prized swag among these Pakistani officers. Soon ground officers of the Pakistan Air Force were asking for their own issued Seamaster. The Air Force goes back to Omega but with a much tighter budget and ask that a Ranchero be used instead of the Railmaster but with the same requirements as the original order.
This watch is the Ranchero "Seamaster", the CK2996 was issued specifically for the PAK with a Seamster dial, a central sweep second and the explorer dial similar to its big brother the Railmaster. The back is engraved with PAF, issue number and "Waterproof" engravings. The famous broad arrow ranchero hands are replaced with the Railmaster hands. Another "civilian" Ranchero Seamaster was produced under reference Ck2937 with a small second at 6.
This is a beautiful watch with a rather unique dial and a great history, it comes with the extract of archives which confirms provenance. A great daily wear for the sophisticated watch collector.