Anybody Know

[bjd1020]

Not sure if this is the right spot. But can anybody help identify this movement?

 

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[oldhippy]

Have you looked in the Bestfit catalogue? What I notice is the jewel fitting on the balance cock, that’s a new one on me. It does look like an old FHF or AS.

[wls1971]

Helvetia, Société d'Horlogerie La Générale (General watch co) do your search around this information that shock absorber was patented by them in the 1920's.

[bjd1020]

Helvetia, Société d'Horlogerie La Générale (General watch co) do your search around this information that shock absorber was patented by them in the 1920's.

Thanks. Any idea on a value? Its actually functioning.

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[oldhippy]

Is it in a gold case, if so what is the carat? It will also depend on its weight. 

[bjd1020]

Is it in a gold case, if so what is the carat? It will also depend on its weight. 

Hey there ole Man. Hope all is well. It was in a solid silver case. Although im not so sure it was the origional.

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[HSL]

I collect WWII watches and sometimes you come around a similar movement, Helvetia 82A.
This one seems more like it's past 1945.The Value is what someone is willing to pay for it.

[bjd1020]

I collect WWII watches and sometimes you come around a similar movement, Helvetia 82A.
This one seems more like it's past 1945.The Value is what someone is willing to pay for it.

Roger that. Thanks for the obviois economics lesson. I was more interested in the case when I purchased it for 85 bucks, then when I got it and was able to get a close look at the case I found it to be not so appealing but quickly fell in love with the movement.....not sure what plans Ill have for it.

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[HSL]

Did the movement and case come together?
The case looks like it has a pin set on the side..

[bjd1020]

Did the movement and case come together?
The case looks like it has a pin set on the side..

It did. But like I said it look as if the case was worked by hand. The stem looks handmade as well. So im thinking its not origional.

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[wls1971]

The case is a Francis Borgel waterproof case it looks too early for the movement, but it appears to have import marks on the inside of the case so you should be able to date the case from the date letter, I would put the case from 1910-1920 so too early for that movement.

[Nucejoe]

Says adjusted in three position and rare and unique shock protection, if dial and hands are in good shape and the rest Genuine, I would seriously look into restoration.

 

 

 

 

 

[bjd1020]

Im not sure exactly what the rules are but if youre interested in it id be willimg to trade (not sell). I picked it up while shopping for cases for a more modern build. Im more into 60s and 70s era movements but also like the case work of the WWII era. Something about the movement though is appealing to me. The case is solid silver. Ill attach a few pics of the dial and crystal.

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[oldhippy]

Very little value in that watch, beside it’s a marriage.

[bjd1020]

Very little value in that watch, beside it’s a marriage.

Well..... I have fallen in love with the little movement.

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[oldhippy]

That’s the nice thing about watches and clocks. Its not just about the money. You have the pleasure of owning the piece.

[bjd1020]

That’s the nice thing about watches and clocks. Its not just about the money. You have the pleasure of owning the piece.

Indeed sir.

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[Penfold]

On 3/1/2019 at 3:39 PM, bjd1020 said:

It did. But like I said it look as if the case was worked by hand. The stem looks handmade as well. So im thinking its not origional.

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Hello there. I know I am resurrecting another old thread but I wanted to let you know that I am 99% sure your watch is original and all the bits go together, apart from the hands where at least one is wrong, as they are not a pair, and probably both (they were probably luminous originally).

As has been said the movement is a Helvetia 81-24, this movement was introduced in 1929 when Helvetia patented their new shock protection system. Helvetia is a brand I collect and have a site on, they only numbered the bridges of their movements for a short period around 1930.

The serial number on the case is a Helvetia one and also dates the case to 1930, this would make the hallmark date letter a 'Z' which it does appear to be. You can see the lugs of the case are of a later style more similar to a cushion watch than earlier Borgel trench watches.

Helvetia specialised in water and shock protected watches, their main importer to the UK was Robert Pringle and Sons of London. You can see the Robert Pringle and Sons import mark 'AGR' on the case (for Arthur George Rendell an employee of the company).

Periodically Robert Pringle and Sons published a catalogue and below as the final proof is a picture of your watch from the 1931 edition, note the case style is the same as your watch and different to earlier Borgel cases.

 

Have a look at my site here https://www.helvetiahistory.co.uk/1930s-sports-watches for more info on Helvetia water and shock proof watches.

Thanks. Carl.

[Penfold]

On 3/1/2019 at 5:18 PM, Nucejoe said:

Says adjusted in three position and rare and unique shock protection, if dial and hands are in good shape and the rest Genuine, I would seriously look into restoration.

 

 

 

 

 

Right move!

[Penfold]

On 3/1/2019 at 3:39 AM, bjd1020 said:

 

Not sure if this is the right spot. But can anybody help identify this movement?

 

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Also for your information here is another part of the page from the catalogue where they reference the movement in your watch, in particular the shock absorber.

Thanks.

Carl

[Penfold]

On 3/1/2019 at 5:37 PM, bjd1020 said:

Im not sure exactly what the rules are but if youre interested in it id be willimg to trade (not sell). I picked it up while shopping for cases for a more modern build. Im more into 60s and 70s era movements but also like the case work of the WWII era. Something about the movement though is appealing to me. The case is solid silver. Ill attach a few pics of the dial and crystal.

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And lastly here is a slightly earlier version.

Note earlier Helvetia serial number and hallmark dates it to 1928. Case shape is the same more cushion like one. Hands are the same as one of your so it looks like one of your could be correct. Sometimes luminous dials without luminous paint were used with non-luminous hands.

The movement is an earlier adapted FHF one as this is before the Cal 81 came out in 1929. Notice the "Patent Shock Absorber" and "3 Adjustments dot star dot" is the same.

Thanks.

Carl

[Penfold]

On 3/1/2019 at 5:18 PM, Nucejoe said:

Says adjusted in three position and rare and unique shock protection, if dial and hands are in good shape and the rest Genuine, I would seriously look into restoration.

 

 

 

 

 

Hello again. Just to let you guys know that as a collector of Helvetia watches I reached out to bjd1020 with an offer to buy this watch for restoration. I received it a couple of months ago and have been slowly getting it back to it's original condition.

I received the crown I needed today and here is the result:

And with it's 13 away serial number brother I found while looking for parts for this one.

Thanks. Carl.

Edited October 29, 2020 by Penfold

[Tudor]

Nice restoration!

[Nucejoe]

I second Tudor, nice restoration indeed.

Rare piece, cute brother too, both will do any collection justice.

Wear it in good health.

Regards 

joe