WW2 C1942-1944 German Army / Heer ‘DH’ Swiss Helios Shock Resistant, Nickel Plated Brass Cased Wristwatch With Stainless Steel Back Case & Original Leather Wrist Strap. MISC 855 Antiques & Militaria

WW2 C1942-1944 German Army / Heer ‘DH’ Swiss Helios Shock Resistant, Nickel Plated Brass Cased Wristwatch With Stainless Steel Back Case & Original Leather Wrist Strap. MISC 855 - MISC 855

During World War 2 the German Military needed large numbers of timepieces and they turned to a wide range of Swiss watch manufacturers to supply them. While no official specification has been found by observation of thousands of examples it appears the contracts for these timepieces specified that the watches should be water resistant with a screw on case back that had 6 indentations; to allow a standard tool to be used to open the case back whoever the manufacturer, the dials were required to be black with luminous numerals and hands, with a small seconds dial at the six o’clock position and the movements shock protected. What evidence exists seems to indicate that the watches started to be supplied in 1942 when the demand outstripped the German watch industries ability to produce watches within Germany, especially as they increasingly turned to producing fuses and other war material and, although again there is little official evidence, the supply stopped in 1944 due to the increasing difficulties the Swiss watch industry had in obtaining raw materials. This is an original WW2 German Army Heer Swiss made "Helios" jewelled wristwatch. The German Army had special pocket and wristwatches for their Officers and special functions. (Deutsches Heer - German). The German Army. Letters DH designated the watches made in Switzerland under the military order for Germany during WW2. The watch face is black and is marked "Helios". The nickel plated brass case is factory nickel plated (some service wear to the nickel finish to be expected). The case has all the correct features of Heer watches. The back case with correct 6 slots for tool is marked "Stahlbowden (stainless) Wasserdicht (which means loosely translated watertight) D 20164 H". The D and H means Deutsche Heer (German Army) or Dienstuhr Heer (Service Timepiece Army). The watch has a clear glass and luminescent minute and hour hands. The watch has a second sub scale 60 second timer. The watch functions as it should but has not been serviced by us. The winder works as it should and alters the hour and minute hands. The watch has its original black leather strap with buckle. A very nice WW2 German Army service watch. The price includes UK delivery. MISC 855 (watch draw office)

£595.00