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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Military wristwatch

Helvetia Military Wristwatch, Calibre 820B

Partially verified

This military wristwatch is attributed by the auction house to Helvetia and dated to around 1940 during the Second World War. The steel case measures approximately 34 mm in diameter and is fitted with a screw-down case back reported by the auction house to carry U.S. Army military markings and the number 3190. According to the auction catalogue, the watch is powered by a Helvetia calibre 820B movement with center seconds. The dial features luminous Arabic numerals, a peripheral minute track, blued hands, and a green textile strap.

Three-quarter view of the Helvetia military wristwatch on a textile strap
Three-quarter view of the Helvetia military wristwatch on a textile strap — Cortrie Spezial Auktionen. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Wristwatch · Military wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Helvetia
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
4065
Source-reported date
around 1940
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
3190

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 Visual Appearance

The watch features a silvered dial with luminous Arabic numerals and an outer railway minute track that includes five-minute Arabic markers. Time is shown with skeletonized blued-steel hands and a sweep center seconds hand.

Below the 12 o'clock position, the dial is signed 'WATERPROOF HELVETIA'. Along the bottom rim at 6 o'clock, a small 'SWISS MADE' inscription is printed. The watch is fitted with an olive-drab woven textile pass-through strap with steel rings, described in the auction text as a military textile strap.

Evidence for this section
  • “silvered dial with luminous numerals”
  • “Dial is signed 'WATERPROOF HELVETIA' below the 12 o'clock marker.”
  • “Outer railway minute track includes five-minute Arabic numerals.”
  • “Small 'SWISS MADE' inscription located along the dial edge at the 6 o'clock position.”
  • “military textile strap”

Case and Reported Markings

The steel case is reported by the auction catalogue to measure approximately 34 mm in diameter and to feature a screw-down case back. The lot title dates the watch to around 1940 and associates it with the Second World War.

The auction description states that the screw-down case back carries a U.S. Army military marking along with 'No. 3190'. However, the case back is not depicted in the provided photograph, so the specific layout, wording, and execution of these markings are not recorded in this visual record.

Evidence for this section
  • “Ca. Ø34 mm, steel, screw-down case back with U.S. Army military marking, No. 3190”
  • “Military watch from around 1940, Second World War, Helvetia with center seconds”

Movement and Condition Notes

The auction house identifies the internal mechanism as a Helvetia calibre 820B with center seconds. The cataloguer also reports the piece to be in very good condition and in working order.

Because the movement and interior are not visible in the listing image, mechanical details such as finishing, jewel count, shock resistance, and factory stamps are not recorded in the available source data.

Evidence for this section
  • “Helvetia calibre 820B”
  • “Helvetia with center seconds”
  • “very good condition, in working order.”

Open research questions

  • What exact text and stamping format are present on the case back for the reported U.S. Army marking and No. 3190?
  • Does the movement bridge carry Helvetia signatures, calibre designations, or U.S. import code stamps confirming the calibre 820B attribution?
  • What luminous material is applied to the numerals and skeleton hands?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Helvetia Military Wristwatch, Calibre 820B
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case sizeCa. Ø34 mm“Ca. Ø34 mm”
Case back markingU.S. Army military marking, No. 3190“screw-down case back with U.S. Army military marking, No. 3190”
Movement calibreHelvetia calibre 820B“Helvetia calibre 820B”
DialSilvered dial with luminous numerals“silvered dial with luminous numerals”
StrapMilitary textile strap“military textile strap”
Cataloguer condition reportVery good condition, in working order (unverified seller claim)“very good condition, in working order.”

Visible details

  • Dial is signed 'WATERPROOF HELVETIA' below the 12 o'clock marker.
  • Luminous Arabic numerals with skeleton blued-steel hands and a sweep center seconds hand.
  • Outer railway minute track includes five-minute Arabic numerals.
  • Small 'SWISS MADE' inscription located along the dial edge at the 6 o'clock position.
  • Fitted with an olive-drab woven textile pass-through strap with steel rings.

Research qualifications

  • The case back markings, movement, and interior are not visible in the provided photograph; all technical and historical markings rely on auction catalogue claims.
  • Running condition and grading assessments are reported by the source and not independently verified.

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: Wristwatch: Military watch from around 1940, Second World War, Helvetia with center seconds

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 8439159337

Terms in this record

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

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