William Helbein, one of the founders and later long-time company president, arrived in the US in 1911, coming through Ellis Island. He became a naturalised US citizen in 1916. At its height, Helbros was a major US watch company, and Helbein was an important figure. Helbein was the first chair of the American Watch Assemblers Association, and was a Director of the American Watch Association.
In the US, Helbein used all the mediums available to him to sell watches. He used print advertising, radio advertising and later TV advertising. He distributed watches through catalogues, shops, dealers, approval and any other way he and his company could find. Helbros made watches for any taste, and pretty much any pocket.
