Rounding out 2019 with one more small watch from the 1940s - an Omega 2165 CS(I), with a non running calibre 26’5 inside.



Looks like it needs a new balance staff, a thorough servicing, and a new crystal - something fun for James Harris at Harris Horology to tackle once the festivities are over.

Tempted to order an extract to see if they know what CS(I) actually stands for...

 

@bubba48 was following the debate about "Civil" vs. "Canteen."
Unsure what the latest consensus is...

 

I think canteen was confirmed.

Lovely dial BTW

 

Canteen would seem to make more sense, if it was the equivalent of the NAFFI in India and Pakistan.

 

With you on that but given time ?

 

My 2165 CS(I) says hello

Who? When? How?
This discussion doesn't seem the final one to me https://www.mwrforum.net/forums/sho...-Longines-watch-with-history-spotted-for-sale

 

Yes, that is the thread I saw, but didn't see the latest, so till in the air?

Cheers, Michael

 

In this discussion I see only hypothesis and a question that remained unanswered

bubba48:
Anyway, while it is/was normal practice for the military, the railways and some industries to engrave the watches issued to their personnel, are there examples of objects other than watches with the acronym C.S.(I) certainly attributable to the Canteen Service? If not, why the watches?

dave:
The watches may be marked as such to facilitate passing through customs whilst travelling; it was not uncommon for service personnel to mark the back of their watches with their personal details for this reason.

bubba48:
This could be correct for the issued watches or for a personal name engraved on the back. But why should Canteen Service do it?

size11s:
I had a nice Omega Seamster 30 marked like that which I bought direct from the chap whose name was on the back. The CS(I) markings though are often only on the inside of the case back and not visible without opening the watch.

 

If it were for the civil service, would it not be marked ICS, rather than CS(I)?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Civil_Service_(British_India)

 

And if it were for the canteen stores, would it not be marked CSD?


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canteen_Stores_Department_(India)

 

Beautiful watch; I am on the hunt for something similar.

There is enough cheese on there to make a nice fondue dinner for 12. Looks like it made a nice protective crust.

 

And this is a page from "German &British Military Timepieces" by Konrad Knirim

 

If anyone is still on the hunt for one of these guys, another csi. (no affiliation with seller)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224185349033Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

Nice catch Chris. Great design, great patina. Well worth the spa time.

 

well done. lovely.

 

I heard from James that he'd managed to find the correct staff - so on the way to being fixed!

 

Thanks... although it’s hard to be too pissed off with you as it’s for a charity

 

With one thing and another (it appears they made 5 different staffs for this calibre, and finding the correct one was painful!) this took a little while to get back up and running, but when you're buying vintage that's more towards the antique end of things, I think patience is a big part of the game.

Massive thanks to James Harris for getting this CK 2165 CS(I) back up and running, under all that muck and broken crystal was a really nice little watch.