HELVETIA Flieger Watch 1939 Jumbo Pilot Vintage Wristwatch WWII Cal. 51S

HELVETIA FLIEGER JUMBO WRISTWATCH

In the 1930s and 1940s, various watch manufacturers produced pilot watches of a very similar model. They are usually larger than standard watches of the period, about 40 mm, and have large luminous hands and numbers, which makes it easy to read the time even in low light, as well as a large crown so that you can adjust the time with gloved hands.

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​Along with its Sports line of watches, Helvetia has also released several variations of these pilot watches, and today they are among the most popular among collectors.

Mentioned in all publications about aviation watches and first introduced in 1932, during World War II, this is the legendary Helvetia military wristwatch for pilots, dated 1939.

This is a hand-wound watch powered by the original General Watch Co. with the inscription Helvetia and the caliber Helvetia 51S (hunting caliber), winding mechanism and installation, a subsecond hand, 3 ADJTS, 15 jewels, 18,000 pcs/h and a power reserve of 32 hours. They are also equipped with shock protection on the balance wheel (one of the first shockproof watches in the world).

Helvetia equipped this first watch with a variant of their Depollier/Brun shockproof system, which they had been using since the late 1920s in their sports watches. They are enclosed in a 41mm round chrome-plated nickel case, a double back cover with a hinged inner and outer back cover. While the inner back cover is in perfect condition, unfortunately, the outer back cover of this watch is broken, however, it can be perfectly closed.

This watch also has large and fixed lugs to allow a long, wide strap to pass through, which can be clipped over flight clothing if needed.

It's still the original black dial with the old fluorescent paint on the Arabic numerals and indexes. There is a white minute scale and corresponding hands, and an additional second hand is located at 6 o'clock. The dial is also signed with the name Helvetia and their famous rotating propeller logo.

They come with a brand new black nylon NATO strap. This watch is the perfect collectible, it's in good condition! They walk very well, they show good time!

Thanks for your attention! Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or respectful suggestions.

Mechanism:

HELVETIA

3 ADJTS

Cal. Helvetia 51S

Back cover marking:

8991978

Dimensions (mm):

Case diameter 41 

The diameter of the crown case is 43

The distance from ear to ear is 47

Case thickness 13

The width of the eyelet is 24

Strap width 22