Vintage 1960s Helbros Invincible Manual

$250.00

This is a clean, mid-century Helbros Invincible dress watch built around a high-grade 21-jewel manual-wind movement and restored for confident everyday wear. With its bright silver sunburst dial, sharp applied markers, and freshly replated casework, it delivers the classic 1960s look in a very wearable 34mm size.

Case, Dial & Aesthetic

The 34mm case began life as a chrome-plated base-metal dress case and has been replated in rhodium with a nickel underplate as part of the restoration process, giving it a crisp, steel-like presence on the wrist. The crown has also been replated to match. A new crystal completes the refresh and brings back the correct clarity over the dial. The dial itself is a handsome silver sunburst with applied baton markers and a restrained, minimalist layout that suits the Invincible name perfectly.

Movement: Lorsa P72 (21 Jewel)

Inside is the Lorsa P72 in its 21-jewel specification, a robust manual-wind movement family known for straightforward serviceability and strong everyday performance. In this configuration it offers a central sweep seconds hand and a traditional 18,000 vph cadence, with published specifications commonly noting a power reserve in the mid-40 hour range.

  • Movement: Lorsa P72 (21 jewel version)
  • Winding: Manual wind
  • Jewels: 21
  • Frequency: 18,000 vph
  • Power reserve (published): approx. 44 hours
  • Display: Central sweep seconds

Condition & Service

This watch has been fully serviced and regulated and is running well. Restoration highlights include the rhodium replating (with nickel underplate), a new crystal, and a new click spring, all completed with the goal of preserving a clean vintage aesthetic while ensuring dependable function.

Specs & Details

  • Brand: Helbros
  • Model: Invincible
  • Year (Estimated): circa 1962–1968
  • Case: Base metal, replated in rhodium (nickel underplate), stainless steel screwback
  • Case size: 34mm
  • Lug-to-lug: 39mm
  • Thickness: approx. 10mm
  • Lug width: 17.6mm (17mm strap recommended; some 18mm straps may fit)

Why This Watch Matters

Helbros built its reputation on making stylish, mechanically honest watches accessible, and the Invincible line is a great snapshot of that mission in the 1960s. With a properly serviced 21-jewel manual movement and a bright, freshly restored presentation, this is the kind of vintage dress watch that feels both historically grounded and genuinely usable—exactly what a good everyday vintage piece should be.

This is a clean, mid-century Helbros Invincible dress watch built around a high-grade 21-jewel manual-wind movement and restored for confident everyday wear. With its bright silver sunburst dial, sharp applied markers, and freshly replated casework, it delivers the classic 1960s look in a very wearable 34mm size.

Case, Dial & Aesthetic

The 34mm case began life as a chrome-plated base-metal dress case and has been replated in rhodium with a nickel underplate as part of the restoration process, giving it a crisp, steel-like presence on the wrist. The crown has also been replated to match. A new crystal completes the refresh and brings back the correct clarity over the dial. The dial itself is a handsome silver sunburst with applied baton markers and a restrained, minimalist layout that suits the Invincible name perfectly.

Movement: Lorsa P72 (21 Jewel)

Inside is the Lorsa P72 in its 21-jewel specification, a robust manual-wind movement family known for straightforward serviceability and strong everyday performance. In this configuration it offers a central sweep seconds hand and a traditional 18,000 vph cadence, with published specifications commonly noting a power reserve in the mid-40 hour range.

  • Movement: Lorsa P72 (21 jewel version)
  • Winding: Manual wind
  • Jewels: 21
  • Frequency: 18,000 vph
  • Power reserve (published): approx. 44 hours
  • Display: Central sweep seconds

Condition & Service

This watch has been fully serviced and regulated and is running well. Restoration highlights include the rhodium replating (with nickel underplate), a new crystal, and a new click spring, all completed with the goal of preserving a clean vintage aesthetic while ensuring dependable function.

Specs & Details

  • Brand: Helbros
  • Model: Invincible
  • Year (Estimated): circa 1962–1968
  • Case: Base metal, replated in rhodium (nickel underplate), stainless steel screwback
  • Case size: 34mm
  • Lug-to-lug: 39mm
  • Thickness: approx. 10mm
  • Lug width: 17.6mm (17mm strap recommended; some 18mm straps may fit)

Why This Watch Matters

Helbros built its reputation on making stylish, mechanically honest watches accessible, and the Invincible line is a great snapshot of that mission in the 1960s. With a properly serviced 21-jewel manual movement and a bright, freshly restored presentation, this is the kind of vintage dress watch that feels both historically grounded and genuinely usable—exactly what a good everyday vintage piece should be.

Important Note on the Watch Band

Please note that the band pictured is NOT included with watch purchase. I generally acquire new bands for display purposes and do not include them because they vary significantly in price and many purchasers will want to obtain their own band as suits their taste.

You will need an 17mm band to pair with this watch.

However, if you are interested in purchasing the band pictured in the photos along with the watch, it will be available at or near my replacement cost as an optional add-on. If you don’t see it as an option in the listing please message me for help. I am also happy to point you to where you can purchase the exact same band directly from the seller.

If you have questions about bands or want my assistance, please message me. I’m happy to help.

Standard Disclaimer

I make every effort to ensure that the vintage watches I work on are both accurate enough to serve as practical timepieces and reliable enough to be worn and enjoyed for many years to come. That said, vintage watches are delicate and, like any mechanical device, subject to wear.

Therefore, I cannot provide any express or implied warranty for this watch, beyond the fact that it is running, and it is being sold AS IS.

Additional notes

·       Servicing and restoration followed the process described in detail here.

  • Vintage watches are delicate - particularly older models that lack shock protection. Please handle with care

  • Regardless of what it says on the case, I do not attempt to restore watches to a fully waterproof condition. Please keep this watch away from water and definitely do not submerge it.

  • If the watch is an automatic, I recommend that you use the hand wind feature sparingly to minimize wear on the automatic winding mechanism.

I do like to stand behind my work, so please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any problems. I will correct any obvious defects in my workmanship free of charge and will provide lifetime service (as long as I am able) for vintage timepieces that I have restored at heavily discounted rates.

Regarding Parts Originality

I know that some collectors are very concerned with originality of parts. I will list any parts that I replace, internally or externally, in the condition notes above. I will also make a good faith effort to assess whether any of the watch parts (e.g. dial, crown or hands, etc.) may have been replaced or refinished prior to my acquisition of the watch and, if I believe it is likely they were, I will also indicate this in the condition notes above. However, I cannot make any bedrock guarantees regarding originality of parts. I work on many different watch brands and lack the deep expertise on the history of any given brand that would be necessary to do so.