Watch Repair - Helvetia Pocket Watch

ludermor

Hi All,
I recently found an old watch of my grand uncle, it is in pretty bad shape but would like to know if it can be repaired. It is Helvetia pocket watch with the following engraved on the back 'GS TP P74908'. From the little research i have done it appears to be a military issue watch ( which is puzzling as he wasnt in the army to the best of my knowledge).
The minute hand is missing but the timepiece itself seems to be in good working order , the second hand works when wound. There is also damage to the face of the watch ( the '11' is missing, looks like it was torn).
I suppose i am wondering if it would be worth the hassle of getting it repaired, it would just be for sentimental value not for resale. Would i just be better off going to a few watch repair shops and getting quotes or is there something else i could do? If there are any repair shops in dublin specialising in this type i would appreciate some suggestions.

Wibbs

Sounds dial sounds like a porcelain dial. You can repair them with resin but it's usually pretty obvious. So it's then replace the dial, usually again with a resin one as an original would be hard to find. Hands of the same style I've found easy enough to trace on ebay.

Helvetia made a lot of military type stuff. Does it have a black dial (sometimes with a little white propeller symbol on it)? Being military will up the value usually. Even still worldwide market maybe 500 euro for a good example(unless it has specific military history attached).

Repair wise if it's for sentimental reasons I say sod value and go for it, though again where to bring it here in Ireland without getting a massive wallet extraction. There I can't help Im afraid.

ludermor

Cheers Wibbs,
The watch is pretty much exactly the same model as the one in the link below with most of the marking at each number intact. Ill have to try and get my camera working again to get a pic of it!!!

http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=216299

Wibbs

Oh right so it has the broadarrow mark. This says it was british military, rather than german which I was thinking. It's defo a porcelain/enamel dial then.

CarltonBrowne

The GSTP pocket watches were issued by the British Army from the late 1930s and were, according to the text quoted in this link, discontinued in 1957.

http://www.royalsignals.org.uk/photos/watch.htm

There were lots of makers with JLC and Omega now being the most sought after; and therefore more valuble (I have an Omega:)). I would have thought that GBP150 would be about right for a Helvetia and the Omega/JLC can go for around 250/300. This is based on regular trawls of EbayUK and therefore doesn't reflect the price that you would pay in a dealership though the latter would have the benefit of a service and warranty.

The Helvetia has a calibre 32A movement and spares for this are readily available from CousinsUK, for example. The dial is a difficult matter as most serious collectors don't like redials and it is likely to devalue the watch. The Helvetias come up on EbayUk regularly and I would suggest you set up 3 automated searches for Helvetia, GSTP and Military Pocket Watch. I would estimate that you would have a good chance of coming up with an otherwise knackered GSTP with a good original dial within 6 months and hopefully for around £40/50. Keep your original dial.

This is definitely worth the effort.

ludermor

Thanks a million for this, it is something i will persue and hopefully will get it back near something like its former glory.
The dial as it stands i could live with it is only the 11 that has been hoked out. To be honest it almost looks like it was done on purpose as im struggling to see how it could have happened by accident ( without damage to the face and the edges) though it doesnt make sense to damage the face!

Wibbs

They crack really easily. A fall will do it, or stresses that are in the enamel from the time of manufacture build up over time and a bit pops out. One reason you dont often see enamel dials anymore, though they are lovely.