Due to the top load construction of the originals a two-piece stem was used to remove the crown, thus allowing the movement to be removed/installed into the case.
Those very familiar with the original Type I have likely noticed a small, but conceptually significant difference between the original and the remake: no dimple on the crown. “U.S.” is etched at the bottom, which is not only accurate to the original design, but is a reminder that this watch is, in fact, assembled in the US. For the limited edition, the date of assembly, as well as the number of the watch (of 1000), are included. This is the only place that you’ll find the name Benrus anywhere on the watch. The seemingly permanently sealed case-back features a smooth domed design, which likely adds to comfort on the wrist, and has been laser etched with markings in the style of the originals. Asymmetrical caseįlipping the watch over, you are met with another set of preserved details. The toothed edge also adds plenty of grip. That said, the bezel provides plenty of resistance and a pleasantly smooth feel, so accidental turning is unlikely, though not impossible. While on the topic, the 12-hr bezel with markings for the first 20-minutes is a personal-favorite layout, and the Type I and Type II are some of, if not the first, to employ such a design.Īs with the original, the bezel is bi-directional and non-ratcheting, so no clicks to wax poetic about. That said, it too went from acrylic to a more modern aluminum insert, though you’d hardly be able to tell at a glance.
If little details make all the difference, Benrus did a great job on the bezel, with the etched, paint-filled numerals on the bezel looking right off a ‘70s model. Looking down the lugs, the bezel slopes with a surprising amount of elegance into a double-domed sapphire crystal, one of the upgraded elements. Nearly 43mm in diameter, with 300m of water resistance, the original must have been very imposing in 1972. A “sleeper” of sorts, the Type I can probably beat up your other watches but doesn’t need to because it knows it can, if you know what I mean.
#Benrus watch company website full#
To get the full run-down on the originals, check out our article Benrus Type I and Type II MIL-W-50717 Military Dive Watches. They got an archivist, they’ve dusted off the old catalogs, and they landed on perhaps their most famous design from an enthusiast’s perspective.Ĭreated to be the toughest watch in its day, and issued to only the most elite units of the US armed forces, the Type I was purposeful, practical, built like a rock, and charmingly understated. It was just an old name with no connection to its history or seemingly what was happening in the industry. Sure, it’s the trendy thing to do these days, but for many years Benrus was something odd that, to be honest, wasn’t worth paying attention to. You see, Benrus, finally, was brought back to life by people who want to pay some respect to its history. But, like many brands, they didn’t survive the Quartz crisis, and after a few ownership changes, the brand all but disappeared. Though they are most famous, or perhaps well-known for their military-issued watches, their other achievements include one of the sexiest “super compressor” divers you’ll ever see, incredible jump hour dress watches, being on Steve McQueen’s wrist, and much more. Founded in 1921 in our hometown of NYC by Benjamin Lazarus (BEN-RUS), Benrus has a rich history and catalog full of great watches and designs. But before we get there, let’s take a quick look at the brand. Well, not really, but when it comes to the overall design, I don’t need convincing. So, when it comes to the design of the 2020 Benrus Type I reissue, which is a close remake (though with some important differences), I’m already sold. It’s the closest there is to an iconic American dive watch, and in its blunt, overbuilt, no-fuss kind-of-way, sort of the perfect watch for that honor. A definitive military tool dive watch by one of the late, great, though recently re-resurrected American watch brands, I’ve encountered numerous vintage models and other similar watches that have descended from the same tried and true mil-spec over the years, and have always admired them.
I’m going to kick off this review with an admission that I’ve long been a fan of the Benrus Type I and II MIL-W-50717 designs.
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