Nazi SS pocket watch made in Switzerland by Helvetia .800 Silver with Gold Hands, and numerals
This particular watch is dated by its serial No3428832, which would have been produced in 1926. The Shutzstaffel was formed in April of 1925, so this watch was an early SS piece belonging possibly to an official party member. The SS began with a small guard unit known as the Saal-Schutz (“Hall Security”) made up of party volunteers to provide security for party meetings in Munich. In 1925, Heinrich Himmler joined the unit, which had by then been reformed and given its final name of The Shutzstaffel.
The history of the Helvetia watch goes way back to 1848, to Louis Brands. By 1880 Louis and his brother set up a watch manufacturing business, La Generale Watch Co (General Watch Company). Helvetia, being the female personification of the Swiss nation, bearing testament to the Swiss origin of their watches. The watches produced by the Brands brothers were highly thought of and by incorporation of the new lever movements in 1885, they produced timepieces that were accurate to within an astounding 30 seconds per day. Four years later the General Watch company became the largest producer of watches in Switzerland. They formed collaborations with other manufacturers, most notably Audemars Piguet and produced highly desirable watches.
*Condition*
In excellent unrestored condition, Made from continental Silver .800 marked, and what looks like Gold numerals and hands. The white face has minor discolouration but nothing that spoils the look, the gold numerals and hands retain their beautiful colour. The back cover has a couple of very small indentations but again these do not detract from this watch. The SS runes are on a cartouche on the reverse cover and are very clear. The watch winds and ticks nicely, it appears to work but we have not tested it. This is almost 100 years old so we cannot guarantee its timekeeping abilities.
Please see the pictures as they form part of this report.
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