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  1. 30t1 Sep 22, 2020

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    88E228DD-88C8-4D73-B5C9-76870A8D1C17.jpeg 205B2CDF-1C0C-4036-B42D-5513C3BA51FB.jpeg 56C5DCA9-53A9-40F0-86C1-393D2EF4E5E8.jpeg The helbros in the house, but running pretty good so far. One auto the, put some cheap straps I had, not sure when but a service. With luck and care, I hope the dial cleans up. The case on the auto is worn, was very like it saw a lots of duty. I don’t think you can get a vintage watch cheaper. Amazing the same company had the killer chronograph. Mr. Heil was about selling watches at any price.
     
  2. JwRosenthal Dec 19, 2020

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    So what’s in a name?
    I have never known the official name for the Helbros divers and came upon an eBay listing for one in box
    4232F451-41F5-43A9-ADB4-D64601EDEF5D.jpeg 10F9FA41-930D-4566-91D1-8771E31E0BE6.jpeg
    And I started looking at old print ads

    574CFB8E-C019-437D-98AC-65F21E11849E.jpeg EE6640E4-41FA-4352-9769-071EBCF48F51.jpeg
    So we can finally assume these watches are called the Sea Timer- W....but wait!
    9C758B25-95C8-4580-85F5-F19939269979.jpeg

    Surf Master?!?! So what is it? Are these two different models, or was there a name change somewhere between ‘68-‘70?
     
  3. aleksejeremeev Dec 19, 2020

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    Saw this brand at a local pawnshop . But I didn't like them . Now after reading the topic, I wanted such . I'll go back to them tomorrow.
     
  4. Scarecrow Boat Burt Macklin, FBI Dec 19, 2020

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    Ah! Thank you for sharing this bit of history! Based off of this, I have the Surf Master. It’s interesting there are two names but at the same time, the watches are different enough to warrant it, so it kinda makes sense. Really cool that you found this though!
    97F44AB0-DA8F-480A-B290-6619AA1329DA.jpeg
     
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  5. Keith88lx Dec 19, 2020

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    Looks like mine might be a Mustang W.

    E6A780F3-2BDF-4DBF-A040-D9C771E49C42.png
     
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  6. Dan S Dec 19, 2020

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    Those are both the automatic versions, right?
     
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  7. Scarecrow Boat Burt Macklin, FBI Dec 19, 2020

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    Automatic would be Sea Timer with the mechanical being Surf Master, is what I’m taking away from it.
     
  8. JwRosenthal Dec 19, 2020

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    Apparently. They all say Self Winding so I assume them are all the same. @Scarecrow Boat - what are you seeing are the differences?
     
  9. Scarecrow Boat Burt Macklin, FBI Dec 19, 2020

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    Just based off of what I have seen, the “West Germany” made version uses the self winding movement. It also has a different seconds hand with a rectangular tip. The ad says self winding as does the dial.
    4CA3AEE1-620F-4740-8BB3-D0AE80CD1F14.jpeg


    The “t swiss t” (French on the case back) uses the mechanical movement and has an arrow tipped seconds hand. Which, is the one I have pictured on my wrist above. The ad for this does not mention self winding or automatic, like the other ad above. The dial also says “invincible” in place of “self-winding.”
    DAC2C670-53DE-4D4E-802F-9635171434CC.png

    Edit to add: I also just realize I’m only talking about one specific reference out of that entire display. The mechanical and automatic versions, despite where they were made, had enough slight differences in both appearance and functionality that I can see why they had different names.
     
    Edited Dec 19, 2020
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  10. Dan S Dec 19, 2020

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    My confusion comes from the fact that I think the second ad also says Self-Winding, although it's quite blurry so I'm not 100% sure.
     
  11. X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Dec 19, 2020

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    This one has a German hand wind PUW 565 with push crown QS date. KINGFISH-W according to the ad above.

    IMG_5767.jpg
     
    Edited Dec 19, 2020
  12. Scarecrow Boat Burt Macklin, FBI Dec 19, 2020

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    Yeah I’m second guessing the dial script as well as it’s super blurry. Comparing mine to the ad, the script of “invincible” is just as long as “helbros” whereas the script on the dial in the ad looks to be longer than the “Helbros.” So, color me a little confused now.
     
  13. 30t1 Dec 19, 2020

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    My other two hels a vintage cool chrono and an old cheap quartz runs fine.
     
    93341CA8-0C27-46B7-AFE2-A6AEB977A852.jpeg EBD9833A-F74D-44AC-8891-AD0A95D25810.jpeg
  14. Redwes25 Jan 7, 2021

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    I am definitely a member of the clan. Picked up this Salmon dialed one with a Venus 150. Hands have been relumed and Chrono hand a bit short but it was pretty cheap and dial was pretty interesting. Looks good in front of my smoke Bush in front of my house.

    Also have a beater diver that I do love but needs a service. Will post a picture of that one.
     
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  15. 30t1 Jan 7, 2021

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    Very nice looking watch. The company had some cool watches. But too many super cheap ones.
     
  16. redpcar Jan 7, 2021

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    Back in the day:
    Super cheap = 1 jewel (or no jewel) swiss "dollar watch"
    Cheap = Timex
    Low end of "affordable" = Helbros


    I've never seen a no jewel or 1 jewel Helbros so super cheap is a little harsh. I do wish they made more stainless watches, though.

    :)
     
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  17. Redwes25 Jan 7, 2021

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    They have a ton of chrome plated watches out there by them, which at this point are pretty much junk. Though think they used pretty good movements and they don't have a lot of those 1 jewel movements but think the quality went down pretty qucikly in the 70s. You need to find the stainless steel watches as they can be really nice. Here is a pic of my other one.

    [​IMG]
     
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  18. Redwes25 Dec 22, 2021

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    Added another one of these divers about a month or so ago. Dial is turning blue and has this lime green lume. Case is a little different then my other one posted above. If you look at those old advertisements above you can see they are slightly different as well in those pics.
     
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  19. Helvetia History Jan 14, 2022

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    Another Helbros branded Helvetia I own. This is the smaller version of the Helvetia pilots watch with turning bezel.

    About 1942, Helvetia 82C movement.

    20211005_220746.jpg
     
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