What they came up with was the benrus types i and ii, military specification milw50717. Benrus military diver watch type ii 70s vintage watches. This is a very rare benrus diver, named the sealord, featuring a compressionlocked case and bakelite bezel. And because were patriots, its always exciting to find a military. Benrus is a historical, fondly remembered american watchmaker, and is. Conveniently enough, ive been wanting to pick one up.
And here is a web page that billy did a great job about the benrus class a military diver. An introduction to cabot watch company a humble ukbased brand known for outfitting the british navy and air force with milspec chronographs and dive. As strela has said, benrus wasnt even part of the us war effort in wwii though they produced notable military watches later on. Show off your rugged side with a benrus military watch. Benrus is making a comeback the dive watch connection. Benrus military watch repair repair service of a benrus milw50717 type ii class a wristwatch. Both use the hacking, hand winding, 17 jewel eta caliber 2750 movement. I am restoring a vintage military watch benrus type ii. Watch brand revived after recapitalization by private investment group. Benrus aimed to produce affordable watches by importing movements from various sources, and became especially known for its military watches. Sep 30, 2015 when i think about all the things a military issued watch should be robust, legible, functional, no watch comes as close to perfection as the 1970s benrus dive watch. Benrus type ii a military dive watch fog city vintage.
Benrus type i homage originally posted by nalu precista dont make an homage to the benrus as much as they make a modern version of the circa 93 rnissued precista dive watch. Unfollow benrus watches vintage to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. The dtu2a was the first military watch produced by benrus as the sole. These watches used steel onepiece, 43mm cases and the benrus gs1d2 movement, a modified eta 2620 automatic caliber with a 40hour power reserve on a full wind. I believe this is particular watch was issued to usaf pilots in late 1960s to early 70s before ggw1 version was introduced. Benrus type ii class b december 1980 milw50717 military issue 42mm rare no lume. Benrus stainless steel sealord divers model featuring a 35mm diameter case with black elapsed time bezel, original black dial with large round luminous plots with beautiful warm patina and with silver match stick style hands. Military dive watch from the wife of an avid military. Apr 30, 2014 during the vietnam war, the us military contracted benrus to design and build new dive watches, specifically for covert operations. Benrus type ii class a milw50717 military dive watch. From prized first possessions and gifts for loved ones, to serving our military, pilots in the sky and our divers under the sea, benrus reignites its storied history introducing new timepieces for the next generation. I havent touched it in years, but after shaking around in my pocket, it started ticking again and seems to be keeping good time.
Vintage vietnam war era benrus military watch 1965. The type i was a very simple dive watch built to be easily readable and absolutely. The steel case is in excellent condition, and is not polished. In the 70s, the american military needed a dive watch made to a particular specification outlining their needs for a diving watch under military specification milw50717. Its distinguishing feature is its frontloading, asymmetrical case with solid, nonremovable lug bars for strap attachment. Watches with patina benrus milw50717 type ii class a diver.
In the 1920s the company transitioned from watch repair to the manufacture of. Three vintage dive watches from a legendary american brand. Vintage benrus ultradeep automatic super compressor diver watch, fully serviced. These watches are lightweight and often measure distance, so runners and cyclists can track their times. Benrus type i and type ii milw50717 military dive watches. Benrus type i class a military dive automatic watch by big. Our watch is a near perfect tribute to that classic timepiece. Benrus modified eta 2816 hibeat automatic typically automatic date, changed to nodate. The benrus type ii class a is a watch that punches way above its weight class. Benrus dtu2ap milw3818b issue date jan 1967 it has a 34mm,41mm lug to lug, 18mm lug, solid parkerized case you have to remove. Shop forand learn aboutvintage benrus wristwatches. Benrus dtu2ap vietnam era us military wristwatch the dive. The name benrus is a combination of the first and last syllables of its founders name, benjamin lazrus, who started the company with his two brothers. During the closing days of the vietnam war, a new watch was born.
Jul 24, 2017 benrus military watch repair repair service of a benrus milw50717 type ii class a wristwatch. If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. A brief guide to the iconic watches of the vietnam war 60clicks. Us issued benrus type ii class a dive watch misc militaria. The watch traveled to over 30 countries during his 21 years of service. Its supersolid case, highlyreadable dial, and simple but functional features make it a real classic among military and dive watches. This benrus was issued to its owner when he entered u. These watches had to be stealthy, legible, and durable. Benrus type i class a us military dive watch and special forces issued combat watch used during the vietnam conflict. When i think about all the things a military issued watch should be robust, legible, functional, no watch comes as close to perfection as the 1970s benrus dive watch. In the 1920s the company transitioned from watch repair to. See more ideas about benrus watch, watches and vintage watches. Benrus watches all prices for benrus watches on chrono24. Benrus is an american watchmaking and lifestyle company founded as a watch repair shop in new york city in 1921 by romanianamerican benjamin lazrus and his two brothers.
During the vietnam war, the us military contracted benrus to design and build new dive watches, specifically for covert operations. Its a benrus milw50717 type ii class a dive watch from march of 1973, sn 0039. Benrus fake mki mkii 50717 dive watch goldsmithwatchworks tm. The roots of benrus go back to a watchrepair shop founded in new york city in 1921 by a romanian immigrant named benjamin lazrus. Under mil spec guidelines, benrus first produced the dtu 2ap with a parkerized dulled steel case, matte black dial with luminous indexes depicting military. It has a firm unidirectional ratcheting bezel not inexpensive friction.
These military watches tend to have stainless steel designs and are constructed with helpful 3hand analog displays, so you can keep track of the time down to the exact second. Members of the seals, green berets, and other special forces teams were issued what many consider to be the finest military timepiece ever produced. What they came up with was the benrus types i and ii, military. The dial is also extremely wellpreserved, with no flaws.
The other company that came out with watches that conforms to that specification is bulova. Class a is the highest military grade classification a. Benrus type i class a military dive watch jan 24, 2010. Military dive watch, milw50717, type i class a and only 6,000 of these watches were made from 1972 to 1980. Designed in the 1970s, for the us military, the type ii was built to take on some of the us military s toughest missions. Us issued benrus type ii class a dive watch posted in misc militaria. Benrus military watch help well depending on where the listing is, are you protected with your payment. This is a rare vintage 1979 dated genuine benrus u.
A great looking medium size midcentury divers model for a man, or sporty oversize for a woman. Jpg they were issued to us military divers in the 70s. May 29, 2015 during the vietnam war, the us military contracted benrus to design and build new dive watches, specifically for covert operations. The full story theres nothing more intriguing than a watch without a name on the dial. Benrus a pair of rare and historically important stainless steel. Benrus sea lord divers circa 1960s vintage watches. This benrus type ii class b is built like a tank and for a good reason. Benrus type ii class a milw50717 military dive watch unisex 19701979.
Mar 2, 2016 benrus watches, products and other images. Sold benrus type ii class b milw50717 military dive. This particular model the dtu2ap milw3818b began production in the early 1960s, through the vietnam war and beyond. This watch conforms to the requirements of milw3818b that came out in 1964. It was the second true 150m dive watch produced by seiko, following up. Well went to the alameda antique fair today got a us military flight bag for 5. Typically shockresistant, these watches will be unaffected by accidental impacts. The roots of benrus go back to a watchrepair shop founded in new york city in 1921 by a romanian. This is an example of the soughtafter benrus dive watch, milw50717. The old and the new two mil spec benrus type ii watches.
Think about all the things a military issued watch should be robust, legible, functional, no watch comes as close to perfection as the 1970s benrus dive watch. Down below, one of the guys mentioned the benrus as a classic diver. Benrus is going back on the haute horlogerie way, after 30 years of silence. Benrus dtu2ap milw3818b issue date jan 1967 it has a 34mm,41mm lug to lug, 18mm lug, solid parkerized case you. The styling of the h6 is based off of a modified version of the original benrus type 1 models used by the cia and navy seals during vietnam. Needless to say this was the watch i was looking for just didnt know it. Vintage 1970s benrus clinton world time bezel diver watch case. Here is my benrus type ii class a dive watch they also made a type i that had marks for the hours no numbers that goes for a little more money due to most think it was issued mainly for special ops but i know a retired marine who did marine recon in vietnam and soon as he saw my watch he said dam a recon watch so i guess both the type i and ii were used for special ops. I will simply quote our well known friend eric wind on this one when he wrote about this reference on hodinkee one of the true grails for military watch collectors is the benrus type ii class a diving watch, which was a watch issued to members of the united states special forces including navy seal teams and underwater demolition teams. The name of the watch was chosen to acknowledge one of the most important events in all of horologycenturies ago, there was a royal competition to accurately assess longitude on the open seas. Benrus military issue dtu2ap milw3818b 34mm 1965 issue cal. The benrus type ii class a is one of just a very few types of dive watches issued during the vietnam war to navy seals, udt divers, and special forces personnel.
Some of you may never have seen one, so heres a benrus type ia. The type i class a dive watch has, what i would consider, the perfect dial for military dive watch, fieldproven case design, and the only u. If so, you could always download all the pics you have, purchase, and then deal with it when it comes in. Benrus answered the military s call and came up with the benrus. Several companies produced these watches, including hamilton and of course benrus. Benrus types i and ii wound for lifewound for life. Military watch collectors who knows benrus model will defiantly recognize this version. Benrus dtu2ap vietnam era us military wristwatch the. Vintage benrus electronic golden mens watch runs great w date. Otherwise, if you already have red flags that worry you, walk away. In the early 1970s, the milw50717 spec was released, which resulted in the famed benrus type i and type ii dive watches, produced from 1972 to 1980. Offered in catawikis vintage watch auction exclusive. Make an offer on ebay vintage benrus ultradeep dive watch compressor huge beautiful crisp clean unpolished stainless steel case near perfect original dial service one year warranty brandmanufacturer. The fakes are getting better new 688020 panda dials, 6105 short sweep hands duration.
The return of benrus watch company kicks off with new heritage. Enjoy your workout routine with one of these benrus sports wristwatches. By what benrus commemorative military watch bird video for cats to watch is this benrus commemorative military. Collecting seiko, military, and vintage tool watches with jon gaffney duration. Why this watch matters this intriguing, boldlycased military diver was issued to members of the united states special forces. I believe this is particular watch was issued to usaf pilots in late 1960s to early 70s before ggw. Dont believe the books benrus did have military pieces for ww2 in the later years, this is in my collection, complete with inner magneticdust cover, blued hands and original lume.
Amongst the official government issued military watches, the benrus. The benrus type i or ii is one of just a very few dive watches issued during the vietnam war to navy seals, udt divers and special forces personnel. That is, until you couple the sterile dial with military origins. Unfollow benrus military to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. This is a watch produced by benrus for the us government, to be issued to the military during the war in vietnam. Jul 16, 2014 the styling of the h6 is based off of a modified version of the original benrus type 1 models used by the cia and navy seals during vietnam. Feroce hit one timely objective when he acquired the license and trademarks for benrus, an american watch brand best known for its military issue timepieces. The benrus type 1 was a military watch used by the us in the 70s that was ultra rugged and simplistic in its design. In response to the military s request for a rugged and purpose built watch to meet the needs of our armed forces, benrus developed the iconic type i and type ii dive watches, which not only became a military standard with operatives such as the udt underwater demolitions team, the predecessor to the navy seals, the army and even the cia, but remains a sought after collectors item which. During the final years of the vietnam conflict, members of udtseal, green berets, and special forces were issued with the ultimate military dive watch the u. This is such an example of a reasonable priced watch with the looks of a type i a military like dial with refinement and a classy look that can be worn by a man or a woman yes you can dive with it, with a screw down crown and back. Jan 02, 2017 benrus type i and type ii milw50717 military dive watches. I collect military times pieces from any nation but this is the only us issued one i wear once in a while due to its larger size. This is a very rare and historically significant military dive watchthe benrus type ii class b milw50717 with hack set, fully serviced by clocksavant.
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