This Benrus Type II Class A is built like a tank and for a good reason. In the ’70s, 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 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, and 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 case back 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-9 Brand Benrus Style Military Navigator Diver Model Type II Class A Serial 26XX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte Black Millimeters 42 Strap Phoenix NATO Strap CASE & BRACELET The excellent and robust asymmetrical case is in unpolished polished condition with absolutely no evidence of being previously polished and retains its factory parkerized finish and fixed strap bars. The case shows light signs of honest use throughout. The original navigation exhibits honest wear and normal delimitation that would be expected for a military-issued watch of this age, however, the bezel remains in generally great condition regardless. The crown is also original to the watch showing the correct dash or ( I ) as it would have come from Benrus. The back of the case retains all of its original factory engravings and military contact numbers. There is some light corrosion present between the lugs which is common to see on this case material from this era. The watch comes on a beautifully faded Phoenix NATO strap. DIAL & HANDS The matte black dial is very well-preserved, showing no damage and only nominal elements of age. The tritium lume plots have taken on a charming creamy patina, under UV light inspection there is some gentle degradation present, namely in the 9 and 10 o'clock plots, however, all the lume plots remain present regardless. The original tritium hands match the dial and exhibit no degradation under UV light inspection, though the enamel portion of the minute hand does feature minor cracking and remains stable. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is keeping time perfectly, but the service history is unknown. A movement service can be provided upon request.
