Benrus Wristalarm (Ref. 3021) "Bullitt", 1960s

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

The New York City-based Benrus watches was started by three brothers in 1921 in the heart of the Big Apple's jewelry district. Benrus began importing Swiss-made movements for their watches being assembled in the US and steadily grew throughout the early 20th century. While Benrus produced a wide array of wristwatches including alarms, calendars, chronographs, and dive watches, Benrus today is most well-known for the battle-hardened military watches they produced throughout the 60s and 70s. The Wristalarm was a mainstay model within the Benrus catalog since the 1950s, though the ref. 3021 of the 1960s is a specific collector's favorite for its unique styling and pop culture relevance. Often nicknamed the "Bullitt" after the hit 1968 action film of the same name, in which the lead male star Steve McQueen wears a time-only military variation Benrus that is nearly identical to the ref. 3021 Wristalarm. The modest 34mm case features long, broad lugs that increase the overall size of the watch on wrist and the classic Benrus military dial is dripping with 1960s styling. SPECS Stock # BRSWA3021 Brand Benrus Style Wristalarm Model 3021 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte Black Millimeters 34 Bracelet 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The case is exceptionally well-preserved and retains the original integrity of the design while showing gentle signs of use and minimal evidence of previous polishing. The case retains its twin Benrus-signed crowns that are original to the watch. The case back retains all of its original factory markings in crisp, minimally worn condition. The watch comes supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The original matte black dial with lume Arabic numerals and printed 24hr time scale is in impressive vintage condition, showing only expected elements of age and no notable damage. The early tritium lume plots feature a dark tan and great coloration, under U.V. light inspection only the 4 'o'clock lume triangle features some lume loss with the rest of the dial showing no degradation. The original tritium hands have aged to a soft grey patina with no degradation present when inspected under U.V. light. ACCESSORIES