Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Chronograph

Helbros Chronograph Venus 175 Wristwatch

Partially verified

This is a vintage manual-wind chronograph wristwatch attributed to Helbros and dated by the source to the 1950s. The watch features a 38 mm round stainless steel case with rectangular pushers, a pull/push winding crown, and a snap back reported to bear the inscription 'Swiss Stainless Steel 111'. The source identifies the movement as a 17-jewel mechanical caliber Venus 175 with small seconds and a 30-minute counter. The champagne dial has Arabic numerals, twin subsidiary dials, an outer blue telemeter track, an inner red pulsometer scale, and a contrasting red central chronograph hand. It is mounted on an alligator-embossed brown leather strap.

Front view of the Helbros chronograph watch showing dial, pushers, and brown leather strap
Front view of the Helbros chronograph watch showing dial, pushers, and brown leather strap — SECOND HAND HOROLOGY. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Wristwatch · Chronograph
Maker / attribution
Helbros
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-5162
Source-reported date
1950's
Country
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Hands

The watch features an analog champagne dial showing age, configured with applied Arabic numerals, a black minute track, and two subsidiary registers: running sub-seconds at 9 o'clock and a 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock. A contrasting red central hand registers chronograph seconds.

The perimeter includes multi-colored technical tracks, specifically an outer blue telemeter scale and an inner red pulsometer scale. In direct visual observation, the crystal displays visible scratches and craze marks across the center and upper right quadrant, overlying dark syringe-style luminous hour and minute hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “Champagne dial features two subsidiary registers: running seconds at 9 o'clock and a 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock.”
  • “Outer perimeter displays multi-colored scales, including an outer blue telemeter scale and an inner red pulsometer track.”
  • “Crystal exhibits visible scratches and craze marks, notably across the center and upper right quadrant.”
  • “Central chronograph hand is coated or painted red, paired with dark syringe-style lumed hour and minute hands.”

Case and Strap

The timepiece is cased in a 38 mm round stainless steel case with a polished finish, smooth fixed bezel, and pull/push crown flanked by rectangular pushers. The seller lists dimensional measurements of 39.6 mm in diameter including the crown, 44.8 mm lug to lug, and 12.3 mm in thickness.

The case has straight lugs with a 21 mm lug width and is fitted with a brown leather two-piece strap with alligator embossing. The reverse is closed by a snap back, reported by the seller as bearing the marking "Swiss Stainless Steel 111".

Evidence for this section
  • “Case Back Markings: Swiss Stainless Steel 111”
  • “Case Lug to Lug: 44.8”
  • “Case Thickness: 12.3”
  • “Fitted with an alligator-embossed brown leather strap attached between straight lugs.”

Movement and Seller Claims

Internal components are not visible in the available photograph, meaning mechanical specifications rely entirely on seller documentation. The seller identifies the movement as a manual-wind Venus 175 caliber with 17 jewels, operating at 18,000 vibrations per hour with a reported 45-hour power reserve.

The seller dates the watch to the 1950s and states that it was serviced in November 2025. Because bridge engravings, caliber stamps, and interior case markings are not pictured, these mechanical claims cannot be verified independently from this record.

Evidence for this section
  • “caliber Venus 175 with 17 jewels”
  • “It operates at 18,000 vibrations per hour with an approximate 45-hour power reserve.”
  • “Serviced on November 2025”

Open research questions

  • What bridge markings, import codes, or caliber stamps are visible on the movement to verify the Venus 175 designation?
  • Does the inside of the snap-on case back bear Helbros branding or specific reference numbers?
  • What material is the crystal made of, and can the visible scratches and crazing be buffed out or will replacement be necessary?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Helbros Chronograph Venus 175 Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
SKUWA-5162“SKU: WA-5162”
CaliberVenus 175“caliber Venus 175 with 17 jewels”
Case Size38 mm“Case Size: 38”
Case Back MarkingsSwiss Stainless Steel 111“Case Back Markings: Swiss Stainless Steel 111”
Country of ManufactureSwitzerland“Country of Manufacture: Switzerland”
Case Diameter with Crown39.6 mm“Case Diameter w/Crown: 39.6”
Case Thickness12.3 mm“Case Thickness: 12.3”
Lug to Lug Distance44.8 mm“Case Lug to Lug: 44.8”
Lug Width21 mm“Lug Width: 21”
Reported Service DateNovember 2025“Serviced on November 2025”

Visible details

  • Champagne dial features two subsidiary registers: running seconds at 9 o'clock and a 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock.
  • Outer perimeter displays multi-colored scales, including an outer blue telemeter scale and an inner red pulsometer track.
  • Central chronograph hand is coated or painted red, paired with dark syringe-style lumed hour and minute hands.
  • Fitted with an alligator-embossed brown leather strap attached between straight lugs.
  • Crystal exhibits visible scratches and craze marks, notably across the center and upper right quadrant.

Research qualifications

  • Movement and interior case back are not visible in the photograph; caliber Venus 175 and markings are source-reported.
  • The crystal shows extensive surface scratching and crazing.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Vintage Helbros Chronograph Venus 175 1950s Swiss Watch 38mm – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record ab914aee30

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other chronograph records