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Benrus Type-2 (Class A) "Milsub", 1973 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Benrus Type-2 (Class A) "Milsub", 1973

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Unrecorded in source
Date
1973
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 42 mm
Stock no.
BENTYPIIMIL-2
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (BENTYPIIMIL-2)
Catalogue title (original)
1973 Benrus Type-2 (Class A) "Milsub" (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 BENTYPIIMIL-2), this is a wristwatch, dated 1973. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 42 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

This Benrus Type II Class B is built like a tank and for a good reason. In the 70’s, 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-2 Brand Bernus Style Military Dive Watch Model Type II Serial 00694 Size Men's Material SS Dial Matte Black Millimeters 42mm Bracelet Nato Strap CASE & BRACELET The case is in wonderful original condition showing the original factory bead blasted finishing sharp case lines and fixed springbars. The bezel does show some wear but is original to the watch and common for the reference. The crown is also original to the watch showing the correct dash or ( I ) as it would have come from Benrus. The watch will be supplied on an olive drab NATO strap DIAL & HANDS The dial remains in wonderful condition, the tritium lume triangles at each out have taken on a creamy and warm patina. The tritium filled hands have also taken on a striking patina and when both the dial and hands are inspected under U.V. light they show minimal lume degradation ACCESSORIES None. The watch is keeping time at spec and functioning properly, extend service history is unknown.

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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