Helbros modules ???

[vintage led]

First off , I would like to say hi to everyone here on dwf , just signed up yesterday, I have been interested in led watches for years and have had a Helbros that I wore for about 7 years .
I have just bought a helbros off ebay but the module is all corroded past the point of repair .
How rare are these modules and what is the going price for these ?
Also when buying led watches , how common is it to buy one with corrosion inside ?
Whats your experiances with the average "as is ,not running" ebay deal ?

[digibloke]

Hi, and welcome to the forum

Helbros used several different modules in their led watches. They started with hughes modules which are probably the best watches they made. If your watch has two buttons then it's probably a hughes. As with many led watch manufacturers they went over to cheaper hong kong made modules towards the end of led production. As a brand they're not particulary rare or valuable (although they made some very nice watches) so if you look hard enough on ebay for a month or so you should be able to find a replacement.

Just because there's a lot of battery gunk in your present module doesn't mean it's beyond repair. If it's a hughes then try carefully seperating the circuit board from the plastic retainer. You can then use tiny piece of sanding sponge to very gently scrape the gunk from the battery contacts and button contacts. If the corrosion hasn't gotten into the front of the watch where the display and chip are then there's a good chance that this will do the trick.

I'd say that if you buy an untested watch "as-is" on ebay then it's a complete lottery as to what you get but you should always expect the worst (that way you won't be disappointed).

[vintage led]

This one says "frontier made in the USA ".
It is for sure toast , the chip dropped off with the rubber coating , and the corrosion has ate most of the battery terminals off the PC board and the set & date contacts no longer exist
I guess I got a good case and braclet .
How often is corrosion like this seen in non working watches ? rare or quite often .

[digibloke]

Oh dear that does sound belly up. It's likely that your watch is a Helbros Minicom.

If you're after a frontier module then keep an eye open for watches that have screw down battery covers on the back and buttons in the same place as yours. I think hudson harris used them, not sure who else.

Corrosion as bad as this is quite rare in my experience - even if the batteries have leaked. Sounds like it's had an alien dribbling on it.

[vintage led]

Do you know what the adjustment is for ?, both of mine had these , its a little screw terminal on the PC board .
Was is to adjust the watch if it was running to fast or to slow?
I think I'll keep looking on ebay and pick up another Helbros .
I got a bid on this one right now , Not a helbros , but just that it's running is a plus , just want this one for a everyday one
http://cgi.ebay.com/CHUNKY-1970S-MENS-LED-WATCH-works-great_W0QQitemZ140191463390QQihZ004QQcategoryZ31387QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Does anyone know what make it is ?

[digibloke]

That looks like a benrus. It's got a National semiconductor module in it and it's a fairly solid watch. I wouldn't go overboard with the bidding though as it looks well used.

[vintage led]

so far Im the high bidder .
It does look a bit used , I just want somthing for everyday .
Then I'll get a few helbros for parts .

[azimuth_pl]

sorry to correct you Digibloke but that watch on eBay has a Hughes Aircraft module.
it has two buttons on both sides of the case and the white ceramic on the edges is visible thru the red lense.
Hughes modules do fit watches with Frontier modules but the left date button will not be of any use.

Helbros was once a good company but changed ownership and remains as a brand only within one American company together with the Jules Jurgensen brand. real crap for average money.
very sad, because the Jurgensen family was one of the best in watchmaking in Europe in the 18th/19th century. The father of Jules, Urban Jurgensen was the official watchmaster to the Danish Royal Court. I guess he doesn't feel comfortable in his coffin today, seeing his name printed on junk.

[digibloke]

sorry to correct you Digibloke but that watch on eBay has a Hughes Aircraft module.

By jove you're right Piotr. I've had a benrus which looked identical with an NS duel time zone module in it. (My hughes message watch is exactly the same as this one except steel so I should have known better ).

Merry Christmas everyone. DB.

[azimuth_pl]

no worries, I made the same mistake once or twice trying to buy a spare module. case manufacturers made the same designs for all the available modules.

god jul og godt nytt aar :)
merry xmas