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Benrus Dato Ref. 73463, 1974 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Benrus Dato Ref. 73463, 1974

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Benrus (maker)
Date
1974
Country of origin
United States
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 40 mm
Stock no.
BENDATO
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (BENDATO)
Catalogue title (original)
1974 Benrus Dato Ref. 73463 (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number BENDATO), this is a wristwatch by Benrus, made in United States, dated 1974. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 40 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

The Benrus Dato Ref. 73463 is sometimes referred to as the "Poor Mans Autavia" as it features the same case used in the ever popular Heuer Autavia and the same design and features found in the Heuer Autavia including the same 73463 case reference # as the Heuer Autavia, the manual wind Valjoux 7734 movement, and with original black dial with orange accents as the similar Heuer model. The striking high visibility orange hands paired with the stunning dial make this an eye catching piece. The white sundials jump off the watch and provide a functional yet stunning look when worn on the wrist! This would make an interesting addition to any collection and provides the vintage look and feel from the golden era of watches that we love so much here at Craft & Tailored! SPECS Stock # BENDATO Brand Bernus Style Chronograph Model Dato Serial 26XXXX Size Men's Material SS Dial Glossy Black Millimeters 40mm Bracelet Premium NATO "Orange" CASE & BRACELET The case is in wonderful condition showing the original factory starburst brushed finishing and sharp case lines. The bezel does show some wear but is original to the watch. The watch will be supplied on a premium NATO strap shown on high visibility orange. DIAL & HANDS The dial is in remarkable condition showing very minimal patina. The tritium lume dots at the end of each hour marker and the tritium filed hands remain fully intact and have achieved a stunning golden patina. The hands match the lume plots perfectly and and show no visible lume degradation when viewed under U.V. light ACCESSORIES None. The watch is running at spec and is in perfect working condition.

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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