Helbros Automatic Skin Diver, 1960s

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

Helbros is one of those watch companies with a complicated history, one that is hard to get the full picture of or a full grasp on. The Helbros Watch Co started out as a US-based brand out of the Chicago area, and while they created a number of watches their own watches, they are most well known for being a white-label assembler and reseller of European watches. Many Helbros watches came from Switzerland, however, examples can be found with parts assembled from Germany and France as well. The Helbros seemed to have changed hands a few times, once being owned for a brief stint by Elgin in the 60s, though the name is now owned under Jules Jurgensen who acquired the name when they transitioned their operations from Switzerland to the United States. Regardless of the brand's complicated history, what we have here is a beautiful skin-diver style watch with a rotating bezel and a Zodiac-meets-Omega vibe. It's imminently wearable with its 37mm case, plus it'll give you something to nerd out about as you dig through the depths of the internet looking for all the info you can find. Stock # HLBOSKDVR Brand Helboros Style Skin Diver Model N/A Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte Black Millimeters 38 Bracelet Viceroy Stainless Steel "Honeycomb-Link" Stretch Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The classic Skin Diver-style case is very well preserved, boasting crisp finishing, dimension, and angles throughout with only gentle signs of use present. The original black diving bezel is also in excellent condition, showing only light age from use and partially retaining its tritium pearl at the 12 o'clock position. The case back retains all of its factory marketing in crisp and legible condition. The watch comes supplied on an era-correct stainless steel Viceroy "honeycomb-link" stretch bracelet that suits the watch beautifully. DIAL & HANDS The original dial retains its glossy finish and features an even speckled patina throughout. All of the original tritium lume plots remain fully intact and have aged to a lovely golden color, with triangular plots at 6, 9 and 12 o'clock each featuring Arabic numerals inside. The broad arrow hour hand and syringe minute hand have both aged to a slightly lighter tone than the dial, the hour hand shows some superficial lume loss and is stable. ACCESSORIES None. The watch was recently serviced and is keeping time perfectly, backed by a 1-year warrant on accurate timekeeping.