Vintage Zenith Defy or Vintage Omega Ranchero

I like how the Ranchero's unpopular name is already an interesting talking point.

How are they unpopular - please elaborate?

Yes… you clean up. Didn‘t get the memo as well. The Defy‘s with the LCD window (model escapes me, Time Command / Time Console??? Sod it I’m not using data to google it to double-check) go for a pretty penny if they still work, they are quite sought after. A nice vintage Zenith is a cool addition. Vintage Omega = unpopular though, that’s a new one on me. The Ranchero isn‘t great but bloody hell try and find one for a good price, people want them now.

Out before the mob comes…

Is there something like an unpopular Omega? Asking for a friend.

I called them unpopular thinking about the comparison with other models of their time (El primero, speedy , seamster diver, railmaster). Also, at the time of their releases they were overshadowed by the more established models

Big fan of vintage Omegas, especially love small seconds. 

The Omega Hobo Killer never really found a market.

It’s a little more complex than that. It is also not a fair comparison. The Ranchero was a genuine flop, the Defy was a slow-burner, this isn’t a fair fight.

‘Ranchero’ means “ranch-hand” in Spanish;  the name is what led to such an underwhelming reception at release, especially from the Spanish-speaking markets. After a couple years of poor sales performance Omega discontinued the line. However, try to find one now, it’s going to cost you a fair chunk of money because they are rare. Vintage Omega is not unpopular, even a model like the Ranchero will be desirable and command a fair amount of cash. Chrono24 has decent ones from £2000 - £8000. 

The original Defy was ahead of its time, as no one was really after the larger sporty models that would dominate the 1970s. However, Defy’s (in their original incarnations) would continue to be sold right up to the 90s with numerous revisions, check the vintage markets they are everywhere: mechanical, quartz, ana-digi…