Description
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This Omega ref. 217656 from 1947 is a remarkable survivor from the immediate postwar period — an era when Swiss watchmaking was re-establishing itself as the world’s finest. Powered by the early Calibre 265, this stainless steel dress watch represents the Manufacture at a pivotal moment in its history: technically accomplished, beautifully finished and built with the quiet confidence of a brand that knew its own excellence.
Specifications
Brand
Omega
Reference
217656
Year
1947
Material
Stainless Steel
Caliber
Omega Cal. 265
1947
Postwar Swiss watchmaking
Cal. 265
Early Omega calibre
75+ years
Extraordinary survivor
Seventy-five years old and still telling time.
Condition:
This 1947 Omega is an exceptional survivor from an era when watches were expected to last a lifetime. The stainless steel case carries the patina of over seven decades, and the dial — with its postwar Omega character — is a genuine piece of watchmaking history.
The Heart:
The Omega Calibre 265 is an early postwar movement from Biel — compact, precisely made and reflecting Omega’s manufacturing capabilities in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War. Finding a functioning and original example of this calibre in a cased watch is increasingly rare.
Guarantee:
As a 1947 vintage Omega, this watch should be handled and serviced exclusively by a specialist in early vintage Swiss movements. No modern warranty applies; treat it as a museum-quality piece requiring expert care.
Authenticity:
A genuine 1947 Omega is identified by period-correct dial typography, the Omega signature style of the era, the calibre number on the movement, and the case hallmarks — details that require expert authentication given the rarity of original survivors from this period.
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Today
Omega from the Year the World Rebuilt
What is the rarest Omega a collector can find — original, running and from the year that peace returned?
A 1947 Omega occupies a unique position in collecting: old enough to represent genuine pre-modern Swiss watchmaking, rare enough that very few survive in original condition, and historically significant enough to merit serious attention. The Calibre 265 inside connects directly to the era when Omega was building the foundation of everything that followed.
From 1947. Still here. Still perfect.
This 1947 Omega ref. 217656 is not simply a watch — it is a document of Swiss watchmaking history in working condition. Over 75 years after leaving Biel, it remains a testament to the durability of genuine quality and the enduring appeal of Omega at its most honest.
