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I'm part of the Helbros clan

30T2
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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.
 
JwRosenthal
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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?
 
aleksejeremeev
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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.
 
Scarecrow Boat
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
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?
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
 
Dan S
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Surf Master?!?! So what is it? Are these two different models, or was there a name change somewhere between ‘68-‘70?

Those are both the automatic versions, right?
 
Scarecrow Boat
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Dan S Dan S
Those are both the automatic versions, right?
Automatic would be Sea Timer with the mechanical being Surf Master, is what I’m taking away from it.
 
JwRosenthal
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Dan S Dan S
Those are both the automatic versions, right?
Apparently. They all say Self Winding so I assume them are all the same. @Scarecrow Boat - what are you seeing are the differences?
 
Scarecrow Boat
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Apparently. They all say Self Winding so I assume them are all the same. @Scarecrow Boat - what are you seeing are the differences?
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:
 
Dan S
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Scarecrow Boat Scarecrow Boat
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.

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.
 
X350 XJR
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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:
 
Scarecrow Boat
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Dan S Dan S
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.
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.
 
30T2
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My other two hels a vintage cool chrono and an old cheap quartz runs fine.
 
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Redwes25
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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.
 
42E135BA-C24F-44E5-89C6-84333806AA07.jpeg
30T2
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Redwes25 Redwes25
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.
Very nice looking watch. The company had some cool watches. But too many super cheap ones.
 
redpcar
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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.

😀
 
Redwes25
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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.

1080221-ca46c3bac03f2b99bceafd387729e0e7.jpg
 
Redwes25
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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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Helvetia History
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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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