Here we have a good original example of a 1943 Omega Stainless Steel military watch. It is the reference 2165 and is marked with the CS(I) signing. The marking indicates that the watch was ordered by the British military and issued to Civil Service officials, operating in Indian territories. Reliable timekeeping wasn’t just necessary for those active in the field. Timekeeping played a vital role in diplomacy too.
 
It has a clean silver dial with speckled patina. It has clear alternating baton and Arabic hour markers. The thermally blued Leaf style hands indicate the hours and minutes. There is the in-set sub-second dial with the thermally blued sub-second hand. It is a 31mm Steel Calatrava style case with the screwback and chunky original crown. Inside it is signed with the reference 2165. The movement is an Omega cal 26.5 T3 manual wind movement, which has been recently serviced. It is presented on a period Stainless Steel Bonklip bracelet. 
 
The dial is very good for the age and has a bright silver tone with a light speckled patina concentrated around the centre. The black signing contrasts well for visibility. There is a classic railroad minute track around the exterior with alternating dash and Arabic hour markers. The dial is signed below 12 with the Omega logo and name. The sub-second dial is inset and has single second graduations with balanced Arabic 15 second markers. Either side it is signed Swiss Made.
The hour and minute hands are of Leaf style and are in excellent condition, with the thermally blued finish shining brightly. They have elements of purple where the hands have oxidised with age which only adds to the charm. The sub-second hand is a clear design which is also thermally blued.
 
The Steel case is neatly proportioned, measuring 31mm x 31mm. Its lug-to-lug measurement of 38.5mm adds presence on the wrist, wearing larger than its strict width. With the watch on a Bonklip bracelet from the period, it also provides a more integrated styling which adds overall appearance.
The case is of Calatrava style, with the facetted bezel holding the crystal. The lugs are tapered inwards and downwards with a neat curve to hug the wrist. They have the polished finish to the top, with the sides also being polished. The drilled lugs are a bonus for easy strap change. To the right is the original chunky crown with coin edge finish.
 
The screwback to the rear is stainless steel and has 6 notches. Inside it has perlage finishing and is signed with the Omega logo and the reference 2165, with the CS(I) signing.
 
Inside is the manual wind Omega calibre 26.5 T3. It is a 15-jewel manual wind calibre which has a beat rate of 18,000 BPH and a 37-hour power reserve. It has been recently serviced and keeps time to within +15 seconds a day.
 
The renown military watch expert Konrad Knirim doesn’t have any further information as to who these watches were issued to specifically, but nonetheless, the civil service element is an interesting quirk of its time. It once again reminds us of the importance of accurate time keeping in reporting and coordinating across the globe.
 
Overall, this is a very good original example, which would make an excellent addition to any collection. It is a fascinating watch with the British Civil Service India history. It also represents an affordable military issue watch by Omega.
 
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below. A further condition report is below.
 
Dial: 
The dial is original and is in good condition. It has a light speckled patination to the centre. The original silver tone is bright. The signing is clear and unworn.
 
Hands: 
The hands are original and are in very good condition. They are thermally blued with a bright shine and no noticeable marking.
 
Glass: 
The acrylic crystal is a replacement which is in perfect condition.
 
Crown: 
The crown is stainless steel and is original, with neat coin edge finish. It has marking to the face associated with ageing.
 
Case:
The case is Stainless Steel and is in decent unpolished condition. The case has polished finishing to the bezel, with light brushing to the top of the lugs. The sides of the case have the polished finish. There are small scratches all over, as expected with age and wear. There is a noticeable dint to the left-hand side of the case between 3 and 4 O’clock. The drilled lug holes are good and unworn.
 
Caseback:
The screw on case back is original and unpolished. It is in good condition with clear engraving and light surface scratching. It has the original circular brushed finish.
 
Bracelet:
The watch comes on period Bonklip Steel bracelet. It is in good original condition and will fit any wrist size.
 
Movement: 
The movement is an Omega calibre 26.5 T3. It is a 15-jewel manual wind calibre, which has a beat rate of 18,000 BPH and a 37-hour power reserve.
The movement has been recently serviced. It’s keeping time to within +15 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 270 degrees and a beat error of 0.3m/s.
 
Case dimensions:
Case width: 31mm
Case width with crown: 33.5mm 
Case length: 30.75mm 
Case length lug to lug: 38.5mm
Case Depth: 10.75mm
Lug width: 16mm