Helvetia anyone?

JimInOz · Mar 4, 2020

Have you ever bought anything from eBay that you had no intention of doing when you looking for something else?

😁

For equivalent to USD$132 (shipped) I couldn't resist this, even though I don't need it and will probably never wear it. The "want" factor at work.

A genuine NOS Helvetia Automatic (ETA 2824-2).

oddboy · Mar 4, 2020

Man, killer condition. Holy "minty"!

X350 XJR · Mar 4, 2020

Cool, I saw that one and realized I'd bought way too many other things recently, glad someone here snagged it. 👍

nzshadow · Mar 4, 2020

Bravo! that is a great little score.

mzinski · Mar 5, 2020

Very cool! What’s the case size and approximate age of the watch? I don’t know anything about this brand.

JimInOz · Mar 5, 2020

mzinski
Very cool! What’s the case size and approximate age of the watch? I don’t know anything about this brand.

Case size is 38.5mm. I guess it's from the late 1970s, haven't done much research into it yet. I think it's one of their last gasps in an effort to stem the tide in the face of the quartz revolution, but sadly, like many other small watch companies, they faded away.

Some Helvetia info here, thanks to "Carl".

Helvetia History · Mar 5, 2020

JimInOz
Case size is 38.5mm. I guess it's from the late 1970s, haven't done much research into it yet. I think it's one of their last gasps in an effort to stem the tide in the face of the quartz revolution, but sadly, like many other small watch companies, they faded away.

Some Helvetia info here, thanks to "Carl".

Thats me!

Very nice watch, fantastic condition! If you have a look at the inner case back it will probably have a 4 digit number such as '69-73' which will give you the year of manufacture, in this example 1973. I think the 69 bit is a factory ID. If it is 1970 or earlier you might have a seven digit serial which you can use on the serial number lookup on my site to get an idea of a date.

I am in the process of doing a major update to the 1930s Shock and Waterproof Watches page thanks in large part to the info I've got from these threads:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/1929-helvetia-waterproof-watches-are-like-buses.109951/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/special-watches-from-1934-catalogue.104918/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/depollier-fhf-and-helvetia-was-movement-id-help.91999/

I've literally just this minute negotiated a price and pulled the trigger on this:

Not in as good condition but I've never seen a Helvetia alarm before.

Thanks. Carl.

Helvetia History · Jul 7, 2020

Thought I'd add my latest.

It's one of those watches that close up in a photo look a bit over the top but in reality is actually quite elegant. The way the light catches the separate dial insert in the centre and the claw like markers is really great in person. Stainless steel and in great condition too.

The serial number dates it to 1955. They seem to have had a phase with some interesting looking watches in the 50s.

Thanks. Carl.

WhereMadnessLies · Jul 7, 2020

CVivash

I love the embossed logo on this one. Very cool dial design as well, kinda reminds me of the Minase Divido

Helvetia History · Jul 7, 2020

WhereMadnessLies
I love the embossed logo on this one. Very cool dial design as well, kinda reminds me of the Minase Divido

Thanks. It does look quite similar.

Forgot to say it has an in house Helvetia 837 full rotor automatic movement as well.

Just Livin · Jul 7, 2020

Purchased a Tropical divers version recently from a member here.
Spontaneous buy which am glad I made.
Love yours
Enjoy

TimeODanaos · Aug 22, 2020

First, thanks to @CVivash for such a great website, which has really given me some new interest this year. As I've said elsewhere, I keep blowing my Certina/Eterna/etc budget on Omegas, but I finally got round to bringing in something with immense charm at small cost, which I can wear without worry.
Here it is - Helvetia cal 830 from 1955. A little WM TLC and a new strap (it arrived on black - crying out for liberation), and a new life beckons! It's certainly making me very happy.
PS - I'd be very interested in learned opinions about that movement - it appears to have more in the wheel train than you might expect. But why? Beautiful though for a watch that was within the reach of your average 1950s office worker, in a way that Omega, Longines, etc just weren't.

Helvetia History · Aug 25, 2020

Very nice!

Here is my not dissimilar from 1953.In the early 50s Helvetia seemed to experiment with quite a few interesting styles before in the 60s becoming more mainstream.

Have you seen this 1954 ad?

rcs914 · Aug 25, 2020

JimInOz
Have you ever bought anything from eBay that you had no intention of doing when you looking for something else?

😁

For equivalent to USD$132 (shipped) I couldn't resist this, even though I don't need it and will probably never wear it. The "want" factor at work.

A genuine NOS Helvetia Automatic (ETA 2824-2).

Hands are different, but here's another one, also Down Under:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HELVETIA-A...sh=item342f0ea228:g:EhkAAOSwRd5fHQJ-&LH_BIN=1

Helvetia History · Aug 25, 2020

rcs914
Hands are different, but here's another one, also Down Under:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HELVETIA-Automatic-Swiss-25-Jewel-New-Old-Stock-Vintage-Mens-Wrist-Watch/224127787560?hash=item342f0ea228:g:EhkAAOSwRd5fHQJ-&LH_BIN=1

Definitely modern replacement, hands which is a shame.

TimeODanaos · Aug 25, 2020

CVivash
In the early 50s Helvetia seemed to experiment with quite a few interesting styles before in the 60s becoming more mainstream.

Love that 1953 ad! I've not seen a Helvetia auto. But IMHO (not v learned though), the 830 manual is a good-looking movement, and maybe that's actually because it is a bit different in fundamental design from all the rest. I don't understand why they made it that way (anyone know?), but I'm glad they did.

eternalover · Sep 8, 2020

Don’t know why but love this bought for only £90 online. Case was gold plated but horribly scratched off. is it stupid to think about replacement steel case? Do they exist?

30t1 · Sep 9, 2020

JimInOz
Have you ever bought anything from eBay that you had no intention of doing when you looking for something else?
That’s a sexy beast, I would buy something like that. Also as reflected on brand of watches owned, I don’t have a Helvetia
😁

For equivalent to USD$132 (shipped) I couldn't resist this, even though I don't need it and will probably never wear it. The "want" factor at work.

A genuine NOS Helvetia Automatic (ETA 2824-2).

eternalover · Sep 9, 2020

I maybe should have waited - it was the Arabic numeral and dial condition and case combo I wanted. Brand mattered less. I guess if I were happy to risk more money choice would be better, but I see few under £1000 that tick all those boxes. Also I think for me the enjoyment from spending 900 would not be 10x this. I guess on that basis I could also start an Austin montego appreciation society rather than an Alfa Romeo spider one!

TimeODanaos · Sep 9, 2020

CVivash
I've literally just this minute negotiated a price and pulled the trigger on this:

Not in as good condition but I've never seen a Helvetia alarm before.

Thanks. Carl.

@CVivash, nice going! What movement does it use, please? Is it Lemania or AS-derived, or Helvetia solo?

Helvetia anyone?

JimInOz

oddboy

X350 XJR

nzshadow

mzinski

JimInOz

Helvetia History

Helvetia History

WhereMadnessLies

Helvetia History

Just Livin

TimeODanaos

Helvetia History

rcs914

Helvetia History

TimeODanaos

eternalover

30t1

eternalover

TimeODanaos

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