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A limited-edition of the 1970s mil-spec dive watch.
Founded in 1921, watch manufacturer Benrus started supplying products to the U.S. military in the early 1960s. From 1972 until 1980, the company produced two special watches that followed the Mil-Spec MIL-W-50717, which the military wrote to detail the requirements for specialized dive watches. The Benrus Type I and Type II timepieces were produced exclusively for the U.S. armed forces and used by specialized teams. Type II featured a more legible field dial as well as a 12/24-hour bezel. Benrus never made the watches available to the public until 2021, when it launched a limited-edition series of the Type I design. Now, Type II gets its time in the spotlight.
The new limited-edition Type II dive watch recreates the iconic vintage military design of the original, but offers all the improvements introduced over the last few years in the watchmaking industry. It features an asymmetric case made from stainless steel with a sandblasted finish and a diameter of 42.5mm. Apart from a double-domed sapphire crystal, the case also has a bi-directional rotating 12-hour bezel. The robust build gives the timepiece water resistance up to 30ATM or 300 meters. On the caseback, engravings show mil-spec info as well as the current date and an individual serial number.
A dial that optimizes clarity.
The traditional field dial features a minimal, clean design that ensures optimal clarity. There’s no superfluous text – indeed, not even the brand’s logo. Instead, the dial features Arabic numerals and a secondary scale for the 24-hour guide. Both the hands and the markings boast a Super-LumiNova coating. Inside the case, there’s a Swiss-made Soprod P024 automatic movement with 38-hour power reserve. The watch comes with a black two-piece NATO strap. Designed with a quick-release system, the strap has a 20mm-wide lug that allows the user to easily change straps. Benrus will make only 500 pieces of the Type II, with the watch currently available online at a price of $1,495. Photographs © Benrus.
