Benrus Type II Class A, 1976

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

Few military-issued watches have earned the cult status of the Benrus Type II. Developed to meet the exacting MIL-W-50717 specification issued by the U.S. government in the early 1970s, it was purpose-built for America's most demanding military personnel, including Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, and other elite units operating in some of the harshest environments imaginable. Following its success supplying field and pilot's watches throughout the Vietnam War, Benrus was selected to manufacture the Type I and Type II—two purpose-built dive watches sharing the same rugged 43mm asymmetrical parkerized steel case, automatic movement, fixed-bar construction, and 1,200-foot depth rating. While the sterile-dial Type I has become the more widely recognized design, the Type II's highly legible Arabic-numeral dial with 24-hour military time offers even greater at-a-glance readability, making it a favorite among service members in the field. Produced in relatively small numbers, the Type II Class A represents the highest military specification assigned to the series. Its matte, non-reflective finish, bidirectional bezel, oversized crown, and uncompromising functionality embody everything a true military tool watch should be. Every design decision served a purpose, with nothing added for decoration and nothing included that wasn't mission critical. Dating to 1976, this example represents one of the last generations of American-made mechanical military watches issued before quartz technology reshaped military procurement. More than fifty years later, the Benrus Type II remains one of the purest expressions of functional watchmaking ever created—a genuine military instrument whose influence can still be seen in modern tool watches today. Scarce, historically significant, and remarkably wearable, it stands among the most desirable vintage military watches available to collectors.