Interesting Helvetia Watches

CVivash

2021P is the case number. I have records of 10 watches in 2021 case from 1938 to 1950, I own 3. I think yours is late 40s. The design changed slightly over the years. If you have the serial number from inside the case back I can date it more accurately for you.

Normally these have a cal 81 or 82 in them but they could have an 80C. The 80C was used from the mid 40s to the mid 50s.

hejsam

That is nice, very similar case design to those called "calatrava" (I'll show 2 of mine below).
Is it a steel case?

WhereMadnessLies

Ah cool, I'll try and take a look for the serial number. Are the case backs easy to get back on without tools? I don't have a press so I would be reattaching it with just my hands.

Lovely watch you have there and great work on the website. So much good information on there.



The case back says stainless steel. I'll have to recheck the case body.

citizenrich

In terms of a purist piece, this one is pretty pure...lol


Get this: ~85 years old, appears to have never been serviced and still keeps bang-on time. A true draw / barn find. This was one of first vintage watches I purchased @ a vintage shop in the Berkshires. Must be 15 or 16 years gone by now. I paid $65 and felt like I got ripped off a bit (at the time).

Long story, boring: Turns out it's Platinum. But, possibly a re-case. But, maybe not. I took her on a trip to Miami with me a few years ago to ask Matt Bain if he knew anything about it. Right away, he offered to buy it so I knew there was something unique about such a ubiquitous watch.

I can put his watch head next to ANY watch head in the world and It holds its own. The dial is almost flawless and you never see me use such flowery rhetoric to describe any of my watches on this forum. Nope, not a re-dial.

Thanks for looking!

Spinakerr

Lovely collection of Helvetias on this thread - I believe th diver on page one is actually a Nivada Depthomatic - would love to know if others have been spotted, as I have a keen interest in Nivada!

I picked this 831 powered beauty up recently as I am always keen on all-stainless watches. This example ticked so many boxes - 35mm, sunburst dial, simple case design and lovely aged lume on the dial and hands. I particularly like the shape of the lume difference between hour and minute so it could be read quicker - nice touch.

This interestingly had a 19mm lug size, which is a running joke for me as it seems everything I buy has this slightly awkward measurement that makes strap hunting a bit more of a task!





I'm going to be servicing this (with skilled guidance) next week so will post up some photos.

D ds2615

Hello everyone
and I just found this beautiful watch for sale that I intended to purchase. I don’t know to much about this particular Pilot watch and I will very much appreciate any kind option about it. I’m wondering if the watch, dial, hands, crown, etch are original to this particular model. I’ve seen a lots of those watches but in a totally different case, like a pocket watch type case.