Benrus Type 1

[andy_s]

Just had this one in, a '74 Benrus Type 1 issued to USN divers, SEALs and UDT;

Made to milspec 50717 - note the lack of makers name or any other script on the dial -



Awesome dome crystal on these -



The asymetric case provides the shoulders to protect the crown -



The steel is a grade that appears dull and grey (like titanium), perfect for a mil watch - (note the solid strap bars)



And the caseback engravings -

[LukeBird]

Very nice, I've had a look at one of these before.

[andy_s]

LukeBird said:

Very nice, I've had a look at one of these before.

Really nice in the hand - the finish is not the grade of steel apparently but a passivated finish.

Here's a good pic of this one from the previous owner and another from a French owner of a sterile version:







The movement was supposed to be a good quality one (an ETA 2821, same as was used in the Zodiac Seawolf but modified by Benrus to meet the government specs.)
It had a 400m w/r rating and 35,000ft negative pressure rating. (It was also specced for pilots as well as divers and was supposed to have come in 'Navigator' bezel - this one, and 'Dive' bezel which was never issued as far as I can tell - hence the 'negative pressure' rating).

There's no key for the caseback as it is pressure-fit and access to the movement is from the front. This means the watch has a two-piece winding stem, which is the weak part of the watch reputedly, but like HGF it's possible to sort it out.

The crown has a tiny bar-dimple on it as is normal. The bezel insert is acrylic with a luminous pip at 12. Well, I say luminous - it's very feint even if it's blasted with sunlight.

Great character and history, this one is totally original too. It's maybe worth mentioning MkII and Marathon do similar styles of watch for a modern day version, (I wouldn't go swimming in this one!), if anyone likes the style.








And here is the Precista RN dive watch from the nineties -



(On the left is the '93, T for tritium, the one on the left, L for luinova, the modern PRS18A.

Edited by andy_s on Sunday 28th November 21:59