HELBROS WATCH Co. – “Helbros watches are a fantastic part of the US watch story, "one of the most popular brands of the 50's and 60's."
Helbros was a major US watch company, founded in 1913 by the Swiss-German Helbein brothers, the company registered a trademark registered in New York in 1916 and in Geneva in 1918. William Helbein, one of the brothers and founders, later, he was for long time the company president; he was at first a diamond importer (his father was a diamond merchant) and later a watch assembler. Helbein was an important figure, he was the first chair of the American Watch Assemblers Assocciation and was a Director of the American Watch Assocciation.
By 1920's Helbros used all the mediums available to sell watches, they used print advertising, radio advertising and later TV shows from the 1940's onwards. Helbros distributed watches through catalogues, shops, dealers, approval, and any other way that the company could find. "Helbros made watches for any taste, and pretty much any pocket (...) A common feature of their approach was to make watches available as competition prizes."
An enormous range of watches were made, including pocket watches, fob watches for nurses, tie-in watches with cartoon characters, chronographs, electric watches and later LCD and quartz watches. Also, there are several examples on-line of Helbros watches branded with logos, for company promotions or other groups. None of the mechanisms were made in house, they were always assemblers, and they were sourced from many manufactures in several countries.
The company seems to have been bought by Elgin Industries in the late 1960's, then become a stand along company again in the early 1970's. In some point, maybe during the early 1970's, the company went into abeyance, and the trademark was later acquired by Jules Jurgensen.
HELBROS
Invisible
17 Jewels
Wristwatch
This is a beautiful timepiece—a vintage Helbros Invisible ladies mechanical wristwatch from the 1950s.
It is a manual-wind watch powered by an original Helbros Watch Co. movement, featuring 17 jewels and Swiss made. This model showcases elegant simplicity, with no second hand.
The original silver dial is in very nice condition, it features silver Arabic numerals, silver hour marks, and matching black hands. The dial is signed with the Helbros name at the top.
Cased in 16.6mm silver-tone oval case with 10K rolled gold plated and stainless steel back. Original signed crown.
It comes fitted with the original Arplex bracelet in 10K white gold filled top and made in U.S.A.
This wristwatch is still in lovely condition, running smoothly and keeping excellent time. It’s a charming piece!
Thank you for looking! Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or respectful offers.
Movement:
HELBROS Watch Co.
17 Jewels
Unadjusted
Swiss
Case Back Markings:
Margrove
10K RGP Bezel
St. Stl. Back
Measurements (mm):
Case 16.6
Case w/crown 18.5
Case Lug to Lug 37.8
Case Thickness 7.4
Lug Width 2
Band Width 7
Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men’s watches typically measure between 29-36mm wide (some larger, some smaller) excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women’s watches from the 1900s-1970s were also much smaller than today's offerings. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size.
We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust the lighting, when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.
The condition is pre-owned.
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear but is fully operational and functions as intended.
Please review the photos and feel free to ask any questions you may have.
It will be carefully packed.
Please view our other listings.
Thank you for looking!
WA-3716
