Hello everyone!

I just received a beautiful Helvetia watch and I was wondering if someone is familiar with this specific model and the history behind it. Helvetia watches have a ton of history and I would love to know more about this one! The watch was sold as a 15 Jewels "Swiss officer's watch" from WWII.

There is a very helpful website for Helvetia watches (https://www.helvetiahistory.co.uk/) that allowed me to look up the serial number written in the caseback and trace it to 1941. Unfortunately, apart from the manufacturing year I didn't manage to find more information about the watch I have. Also, I know that it was probably not issued for the German military since the serial number doesn't have the DI / D / H identifying letters, but I am not sure about watches issued for the Swiss military and how would this be referenced or how can I verify this.

After looking online for ever, I found pictures of two very similar dials in a post on this forum: https://omegaforums.net/threads/new-helvetia-watch-co-site.85250/page-2
but not exactly the same. Apart from that, nothing even remotely similar.

Could someone give me a hand? Any information will be very appreciated!!
Thanks!

 

Hello Ignasi,

Apologies for not spotting this earlier or replying via the website, I have been on holiday and unfortunately was then ill for several weeks.

I think when this watch was sold as a Swiss Officers Watch the seller was applying a very broad interpretation of those terms. The watch is Swiss made and it is of a good quality and may have belonged to an officer but there is nothing to show that it ever belonged to anyone in the military.

You have got the date from the site and the movement in almost certainly a Helvetia 82A (possibly 82C) the same as used in Helvetia's German military DH watches as it was made about the same time.

It looks a reasonably large watch for the time, is it 34mm?

I'm afraid there isn't much more I can tell you apart from the above.

Thanks.

Carl

 

Hi @Helvetia History
What could you tell me about my watch?
And what do you think it is the value of it?
Thanks in advance

 

Hello,

Your watch dates from 1963 to 1965 as those were the dates that logo was in use. Helvetia H64 movement.

I'm afraid gold plated Helvetia watches of this date aren't much collected. Depending on condition and if it runs I would say £40 to £80 on eBay.

Thanks.

Carl

 

THanks for the reply.

I think it is not goldplated!!
Do you think it is?

 

Yes, you can see the brass base metal showing through where the plating has worn on the lugs.

Thanks. Carl.

 

I think there is still a little bit of plating left.

 

I am rich,Finally

 

Hello Carl!

Thank you for your reply and I hope you are feeling better! The watch is indeed surprisingly big for that time, 34 mm. So, it seems to be very similar to these post-war dress watches (despite being manufactured in 1941) that you show on your website, right? I saw that you have a couple of pictures with very similar models and as you say, no indication whatsoever about military origin. Do you have an idea about the value of the watch?

Thanks again for your help!

 

What could you tell me about my watch?
And what do you think it is the value of it?
Thanks in advance.

 

What do you think about opening an own thread, introducing yourself and tell us what research you did yourself…