Omega | Ref. 2497-4 | Cal. 265 | 1949

Dating to circa 1949, this Omega Ref. 2497-4 is a beautifully characterful example of post-war Swiss watchmaking, combining classical proportions with one of Omega’s celebrated manually wound movements.

The warm cream dial has developed a wonderfully distinctive patina over more than 75 years, with fine spotting and tonal variation giving the watch an appearance that could only have developed naturally with time. An applied Arabic 12 is complemented by faceted hour markers and elegant pointed hands, while the recessed subsidiary-seconds register at six gives the dial its beautifully balanced, traditional layout.

The Ref. 2497-4 case measures approximately 35mm excluding the crown, giving the watch elegant vintage proportions while remaining highly wearable today. The inside caseback is correctly Omega signed and marked “PLAQUÉ OR L 80 MICRONS”, confirming its substantial 80-micron gold-plated finish. An Omega-signed crown completes the exterior.

Inside sits the Omega Calibre 265, a 15-jewel manually wound movement belonging to Omega’s highly regarded 30mm movement family. The movement is correctly signed and carries serial number 11,718,821, consistent with production during the late 1940s.

Importantly, the watch has been fully serviced prior to sale and is supplied with our 12-month Vintage Watch HQ mechanical warranty, offering additional reassurance when purchasing a mechanical watch now more than three quarters of a century old.

Finished on a dark brown leather strap, the combination of warm gold, aged cream and deep brown gives the watch a wonderfully rich period appearance.

This is a vintage Omega whose history remains very much on show — more than 75 years of character preserved in a beautifully proportioned, mechanically important piece of Omega’s post-war watchmaking.

Specifications

Brand: Omega
Reference: 2497-4
Year: Circa 1949
Movement: Omega Calibre 265
Movement Type: Manual wind
Jewels: 15
Movement Serial: 11,718,821
Case: 80-micron gold-plated
Case Diameter: Approx. 35mm excluding crown
Lug Width: Approx. 18mm
Dial: Warm cream with naturally developed patina
Hour Markers: Applied Arabic 12 & faceted markers
Functions: Hours, minutes & subsidiary seconds
Crown: Omega-signed
Crystal: Acrylic
Strap: Dark brown leather
Service: Fully serviced prior to sale
Warranty: 12-month Vintage Watch HQ mechanical warranty
Water Resistance: Not guaranteed due to age
Box & Papers: Watch only

Condition

Presented in attractive vintage condition. The cream dial displays visible age-related patina, spotting and tonal variation throughout, giving this individual example much of its character. The gold-plated case also shows surface marks and wear consistent with its age.

The watch has been fully serviced and tested prior to sale. As with all vintage watches, water resistance is not guaranteed unless expressly stated otherwise.

A wonderfully evocative late-1940s Omega, combining an aged cream dial, small-seconds layout and the celebrated Calibre 265 movement in a beautifully wearable 35mm case.