This 21 jewel Helsa women’s diver, depth rated to 20ATM, just arrived today. Swung by my WM and had him do a quick check up, polish the crystal and install a blue strap. I will gift it to my wife tonight. With the exception of a scratch on the case back this is a nice little watch in great shape for its age. Helsa was a sub-brand of tool watch maker Ollech & Wajs.

 

Just picked this up for the cost of a bad hair cut. Does anyone know anything about these? It seems well made.

 

An evening with the Baron.

 

These were very popular in the Asian market in the 1970s, and are probably similar in quality to the generic 5 atm diver-style watches made using Swiss components at the time, just with Japanese-made components. Not actual dive watches or skin divers obviously.

 

...........but it says "Skindiver" on the dial

 

I think it says King Diver. I understand you're probably joking. Skin divers generally refer to watches with legit depth ratings in the 20ish atm range. Many of these dive-style watches really had no significant water resistance, despite the markings.

 

Dang.
But "Diver" is still there
And a lot going with that dial.

 

there are other kinds of divers besides underwater.

I can't believe I just said that.

 

I think that's what people like about them.

 

That you know HR Puffinstuff is what makes you old- not your changing taste in watches

 

A not so common Zodiac Sea Wolf I came home with yesterday.

 

Wow- way to settle in fast!

 

One of a sea of Everyman divers that has followed me home lately- been having too much fun with these things.

 

Looks like you can sell me your tradition diver now

I’m sensing a theme with your divers - big arrows

 

Hey- get yourself your own wannabe Seamaster!

 

And I hate to admit this- but the big arrows and large numerals are actually because I am starting to realize it may be time for glasses. Not so much for focus but contrast. I love watches like my OPD but then silver on silver on silver is a bitch to read in low or overcast light. These things I can see at arms length. I guess my barometer for readability has become- if you can read it under water, that’s good enough for me!

 

Thanks to you - I am looking and if I can find one, will maybe be able to do a comparison to my Seamaster and my daughters Beemaster

 

A close friend of mine just gave his 2 year old his indiglo when he got as a kid. She had taken to grabbing his watches off the table throwing them on the floor. That didn’t last long. Maybe I should get an indiglo...that may solve my issues right there!

 

009 = Bond + 2: take that, Omega!

 

Very likely post 1969 given the "water resistant" labeling. I have never seen one of these before.