Helvetia Diver with Depth Gauge

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Dear all.

Up for sale is my uncommon vintage Helvetia diver with built-in depth gauge.



Bear over with me as I now precious little about the watch. It has a stainless steel 39mm case and 21mm lug distance. The case is in good condition, the bezel is perfect, but the rear has an unflattering engraving and some marks after previously attempted clumsy case opening.



The dial looks great, but I have no idea if it has been relumed at some point or not. The colour of the dial lume is noticably more green than on the hands, but I guess that this could be down to different parts suppliers. EDIT: I am now pretty sure that it has been relumed, as the luminous compound still has some function left.
The hands look great - the lollipop seconds is a nice touch. Notice that the crystal has a chipped edge at 8, but is not cracked anywhere.


I have little knowledge of the movement other than it's a Swiss made 24 jewels movement with no noticable flaws. It winds, sets, goes just like it should, but should probably be serviced if the watch were to be put into use. Accuracy or power reserve hasn't been measured thoroughly.




I am offering this rather uncommon specimen for €820 inc. tracked shipping from Denmark (EU) and PP fees. Payment by bank transfer can also be arranged. Returns are welcome if the watch doesn't live up to the expectations - postage is on the buyer.

I have a few recommendations from here:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/nickw-a-trusted-buyer.35624/#post-403606
https://omegaforums.net/threads/happy-to-buy-from-conelpueblo.47169/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/conelpueblo-great-seller.40503/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/conelpueblo-top-notch-seller.38127/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/conelpueblo-is-a-really-nice-seller.36217/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/conelpeublo-is-an-excellent-seller.49970/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/my-thanks-for-a-great-deal-conelpueblo.55548/



Please respect that I do not wish to be contacted by dealers or others who intend to purchase the watch with quick profit in mind.




Edited:
 
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Please respect that I do not wish to be contacted by dealers or others who intend to purchase the watch with quick profit in mind.
Hasn't happened on this forum, but on a non-watch forum I frequent it's really common when selling a $3,000 item (say) to get messages like

"Hey, if that doesn't sell I'll offer you $250 cash for it."

Morons.........
 
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Hasn't happened on this forum, but on a non-watch forum I frequent it's really common when selling a $3,000 item (say) to get messages like

"Hey, if that doesn't sell I'll offer you $250 cash for it."

Morons.........

I hope that the members here do not take offence at my disclaimer, none is intended. The last few watches I have sold on here have, apparently, gone to dealers (none of them were open about it) and seeing a watch I've just sold on sale for twice the price isn't really something I'd like to see again.

Dealers buying up stock on OF will only serve to bump up prices on the sales forum, making the our hobby less accessible and feeding the "money talks" tendency, which is something I for one would hate to happen.
Edited:
 
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I hope that the members here do not take offence at my disclaimer, none is intended. The last few watches I have sold on here has, apparently, gone to dealers (none of them were open about it) and seeing a watch I've just sold on sale for twice the price isn't really something I'd like to see again.

Dealers buying up stock on OF will only serve to bump up prices on the sales forum, making the our hobby less accessible and feeding the "money talks" tendency, which is something I for one would hate to happen.

Total agreement from me. Well said.
 
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Watch sale is ON HOLD while I check up on some issues regarding authenticity - please wait 😀
 
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Watch sale is ON HOLD while I check up on some issues regarding authenticity - please wait 😀

I haven't found any evidence to refute or prove the authenticity issues, so I am happy to offer this one again - it is BACK ON THE MARKET with a slight reduction in price. I hope that people are still interested 😀

Feel free to have a look at the thread I started with my findings and musings: https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-depth-gauge-watches.58505/

New price: €770.
 
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I was asked a few good questions by an interested party, thought I'd share them here:

- It is a plexiglass crystal.
- The crown isn't signed - that said, I am not sure that it originally was - most likely it was a generic one to begin with. The one on it now fits perfectly with a inward angle to it that makes it clear the overhanging bezel. As I don't know for sure, I am not going to state that this one is the original, but it wouldn't surprise me.
- A leather nato/zulu or a nylon nato comes with the watch. Note that all the straps I've had for it were 20mm.
- I found it in Sweden and later tracked down a previous owner, who sadly didn't know anything about it either.
- As long as the crystal isn't cracked, there is no reason why the gauge shouldn't work. However, since it would require me to submerge the watch, I haven't tested it.
- The bezel rotates freely, as it should. It's a friction fit, so no "click", neither is it one-directional which, again, is par for the course for this era.

A couple of side-on views:

 
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Very interesting and attractive piece. Would look great on a creme NATO. GLWS! 😉
Edited:
 
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I hope that the members here do not take offence at my disclaimer, none is intended. The last few watches I have sold on here have, apparently, gone to dealers (none of them were open about it) and seeing a watch I've just sold on sale for twice the price isn't really something I'd like to see again.

Dealers buying up stock on OF will only serve to bump up prices on the sales forum, making the our hobby less accessible and feeding the "money talks" tendency, which is something I for one would hate to happen.

I agree 100% and was thinking of using a similar clause when I thought of selling something.
(I ultimately decided to keep the item for now).
On another forum I frequent there's a dealer who buys up stuff from longtime members on the forum and then offers it on the exact same page with spruced up pictures, write up, and a 50% markup.

PS- other than that, great watch!
 
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SOLD - happy to have this cross the oceans in a short while to end up with an OF member 👍
 
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This is what happens when I allow work to interfere with my watch collecting..

Congrats to buyer and seller!