[richisin]

Hello Fellow Watch Enthusiasts!

Hope this post finds you well. Writing to get your thoughts on a Recommissioned WW2 Helvetia I just acquired from eBay.

Wanted to get your thoughts on this piece given that I am not a military watch expert and even though I did my due diligence on German issued WW2 watches and military Helvetia watches, there is nothing better than the collective knowledge of the people.

Question: Do you think it's an original recommissioned Helvetia or maybe someone having fun with an engraving machine? Thank you in advance for your thoughts! Couple of quick notes about the watch:

- Watch was purchased from a seller who picks up things from estate sales, not a watch dealer (he didn't know much about it)

- Watch appears to be a recommissioned German piece for the US Army (both DH and US ORD stamps on the caseback); watch case and movement leads to the watch being produced towards the end of the war

- This piece looks exactly like the one in the cover page of the book German Military Timepieces of World War II: Heer/Waffen SS Vol. 3
GERMAN MILITARY WATCHES

Condition: Overall a really nice piece that appears to be original with the exception of the seconds hand (bad replacement)
- Case: Stainless steel case show some minor wear (couple of scratches and dings) but great overall condition
- Dial: Pretty minty black glossy dial; maybe got relumed a few years back (lume doesn't last more than 1.5 minutes; 6 looks a bit off)
- Hands: Hour and minute hands look original; seconds hand was added by the seller (initially posted watch without this hand; added it later mentioning he took it to a jeweler; obviously incorrect hand)
- Movement: 82C that appears to be in good condition with case ring; will need servicing

Thanks again for your comments!

 

[StufflerMike]

Never saw such a back on a DH Helvetia. Notches are odd though.

 

[richisin]

Thanks for the quick response, Mike! Appreciate it.

While performing my due diligence, I only came across a few double marked DH and US ORD examples. There are some interesting posts in the Military Watch Resource and other forums (some examples below):

• "U.S ARMY MILITARY ISSUED HELVETIA" on Ebay?
• ORD OH US Army wristwatches - Topic

I asked the same question on the MWR forum and the debate is ongoing.
Recommissioned WW2 Helvetia - Thoughts?

The good thing is that I have 30 days to return the watch, but its just so pretty in real life (pictures don't do it justice) that will be a hard decision. I will continue with my research and get back with the updates I get from the experts I reached out to.

Thanks again, Mike!

 

[richisin]

Hello Fellow Watch Enthusiasts!

Hope all is well. I wanted to let you know I just heard back from the great Dr. Konrad Knirim himself and he just confirmed the watch looks good!

He mentioned there are few of these examples (he only has a few) and can't really tell if the DH marks were added later on, but he thinks its OK! He also provided some additional photos (see below; mine resembles the bottom left)

That being said, think I will be keeping this guy. Thanks again everyone and have a great weekend!