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 need 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 and 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, and a sterile 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, and 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-11 Brand Benrus Style Military Navigator Diver Model Type II Class A Serial 29XX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte Black Millimeters 42 Strap Original Black NATO Strap CASE & BRACELET The robust asymmetrical case is in impressively crisp, unpolished condition, retaining its factory anti-reflective parkerized finish and fixed strap bars. The case shows only light signs of honest use throughout and also exhibits some corrosion between the lugs, which is extremely common in these watches. The original navigation bezel is in exceptionally well-preserved condition, showing no cracking or delimitation, with only nominal signs of previous use present. 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 contract numbers. The watch comes supplied on an original black NATO strap DIAL & HANDS The original matte black dial is in virtually flawless condition, showing no damage or age. The tritium lume plots have taken on a lovely creamy eggshell patina and show no degradation under UV light inspection. The original tritium hands have aged a shade darker than the dial, under UV light inspection, the lume exhibits no degradation, though the white enamel in the block under the lume does show 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.
