The Benrus Type II Class A is built like a tank and for a good reason. 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 MIL-W-50717. Benrus answered the Military‘s call and came up with the Benrus Type-II.
Being that this was a high-quality piece of equipment built for a specific need, the United States Army as well as the United States Navy, issued these watches to only the most elite Military units. Both the U.S. Army’s’ Rangers and Green Berets as well as to the U.S. Navy Seals and UDT (Underwater Demolition Team) Divers were issued the Benrus Type II.
The case of the Benrus Type II is referred to as a “monocoque” case, rather than the more ordinarily known “monobloc” style case. “Monocoque” relates to the construction of the case as a sort of vessel that holds the dial, hands, movement while the bezel envelops the domed crystal, ultimately allowing this watch to be taken apart through the top or face of the watch instead of through the back like most Dive watches is very unique and adds to the durability and ruggedness of the watch. The Benrus Type II has fixed Spring Bars like Other Issued dive watches which adds extra security and one less failure point, a serial dial meaning that there is no logo or branding, and is bead blasted for the anti-reflective requirements required by the men who wore them.
The caseback is stamped with the mil-spec number (MIL-W-50717), the NSN Number as well as the actual Military inventory number used to check-in and check-out service equipment similar to what you would find on a firearm and or any Other issued technical piece of equipment.
SPECS
| Stock # | BENTYP-2MIL-4 | |
| Brand | Benrus | |
| Style | Military Dive Watch | |
| Model | Type II | |
| Serial | 3438 | |
| Size | Men’s | |
| Material | SS | |
| Dial | Matte Black | |
| Millimeters | 42mm | |
| Bracelet | Nato Strap |
CASE & Bracelet
The Unpolished case is in excellent condition, showing the original factory bead blasted finishing and crisp case profiling. The bezel is in wonderful overall condition and shows some paint separation between the top triangle and the “3” which is common to see for this reference. The acrylic crystal is original to the watch and shows some light surface marks but is in an overall very clean condition. The crown is also original to the watch showing the correct dash or ( I ) as it would have come from Benrus. There is some light corrosion on the back of the case, which is common for bead-blasted watched from this era. The watch will be supplied on a Nato strap.
DIAL & HANDS
The matte Black dial remains in superb condition, showing no imperfections or signs of aging. The tritium lume triangle markers have taken on a warm yellow patina, and show no degradation under U.V. light inspection. The tritium filled hands match the dial perfectly and exhibit no lume loss or degradation when inspected under U.V. light.
Accessories
None. The watch is keeping time and functioning perfectly, previous service history is unknown.
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