WatchUSeek Watch Forums banner
Cancel

Identifying a Helvetia auto

1779 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  sspelak, 
S
3
I was recently given what was left of my grandfather's watch collection and this one stumped me. Decided to stop lurking and make my first post. I searched this forum and Google but can't find anything too close to this watch except for some bizzare mentions about the movement on a Romanian site.

My grandfather was from Romania, and I'm guessing the movement was specific to the area because the date calendar is in French/Romanian.

Analog watch Watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Strap


Analog watch Watch accessory Watch Brown Strap


It's a Helvetia automatic, and there's not many clues to wether is authentic or its period. It has to be relatively recent as it has an ETA 2878. What the 0004.50 means on the caseback is beyond me. The caseback was loose...

Analog watch Watch Watch accessory Strap Fashion accessory


The watch itself doesn't currently work. It winds and holds power, but doesn't run. I'm looking to get it repaired, but I'd like to know what I'm looking at first.

Sorry if the pictures are upside down. For whatever reason the orientation when I upped them to the post isn't the same as what they are on my computer. o|

So, any thoughts?
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 1 of 5 Posts
H
Welcome to the Vintage forum. You assessment of ETA 2878 is probably correct:

bidfun-db Archiv: Uhrwerke: ETA 2878

The movement was widespread and not just used in your country. Helvetia may have got a specialist to make day-of-the-week wheels in Romanian or it is even possible that ETA provided them with the movement in that language. But it doesn't indicate that the entire movement was only used in that locality.

The "0004.50" is probably the watch reference number (a sort of model code).

Hartmut Richter
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 1 of 5 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
WatchUSeek Watch Forums
A forum community dedicated to watch owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about watch collections, displays, watch winders, accessories, classifieds, and more! We welcome all manufacturers including Casio G-Shock, OMEGA, Rolex, Breitling, Rolex and Tudor, Seiko, Grand Seiko and others.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Public Forum Watches - Private Sellers and Sponsors Affordable watches Dive watches Casio G-Shock
Top