Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Wrist watch belonging to Damien Parer, c. 1939

Wrist watch belonging to Damien Parer, c. 1939

Wrist watch belonging to Damien Parer, c. 1939

Helbros, Swiss

R 365

Chrome plated with khaki strap

Acquired from Damien Parer jnr, 1964


This watch may have been issued to Parer as part of his uniform as war correspondent for Paramount News.

Helbros (the Helbein Brothers) were middle class Swiss German watchmakers who set out to design and manufacture a quality timepiece that was affordable to the masses. During World War II, the Helbros company became very involved in the War Bond efforts of the United States.


Helbros were an agent for the US Government, procuring Swiss watches for the war effort.


Helbros made some watches themself but were much more of an assembler/marketer than a manufacturer. 

In the 1960s, Helbros designed a watch for lunar time.


Helbros began in 1913. The name actually comes from its founders, the Helbein Brothers.