Why This Watch Matters The Benrus Type II is a no-frills, military-issued wristwatch that was only supplied to elite forces like the Navy Seals. Many of these were lost or destroyed over the years, and finding one in nice condition is becoming more difficult by the day. The Full Story Watches still played a critical role in military service in the 1970s. As a result of the need for a more robust dive watch tailored to the military's needs, the United States Department of Defense issued the MIL-W-50717 standard, which put forth a more robust list of required specifications, more so than any prior contract. Benrus answered the call with a watch that not only met the demand, but surpassed its requirements. These watches were built from circa 1972 until 1980. Benrus made three versions of this watch during this time: the Type I Class A, Type II Class A, and Type II Class B. The rarest of the three variants is the Type I, which features only hour markers on the dial and no numerals; the Type II featured a more conventional dial for a military watch with a 12/24 hour display. Here, we have a Type II Class A, meaning it has Arabic numerals on the dial marking 12 and 24 hours, as well as lume on the hands and on the dial. The Type II Class B featured a non-lume dial, specifically meant for soldiers working in areas where any level of radioactivity was not permitted. The Type II strikes all the right chords when it comes to a military watch. It features an asymmetrical steel case with a parkerized finish, a bi-directional bezel, a domed acrylic crystal, and fixed spring bars. The case of the Benrus Type II Class A features a top-loading construction that offers enhanced shock resistance and better protection against the elements. In order to service the watch, the bezel and crystal need to be removed to access the movement. This Type II is in overall nice condition, especially considering what it might have gone through during its service years. We paired it with our tan NATO Strap to give this military watch a more casual vibe that is perfect for fall. The Fine Print Maker: Benrus Model: Type IIReference: Type II Class A Year: 1979Case No: 2720Material: Parkerized steel Dimensions: 42.5mm diameter; 15mm thickness Crystal: Plexiglass Lume: Yes, tritium Caliber: Benrus, self-winding, caliber GS1D2 (Modified ETA 2620)Bracelet/Strap: HODINKEE Nylon NATO-Style Watch Strap In TanLug Width: 19.5mm Box/Papers: N/A What We Love And What You Should Know Things We Love: - 12/24 hour dial- U.S. Military service watch- Asymmetric case What You Should Know: - Replacement crown- Minor repair to upper spring bar This Type II is in overall very nice condition for a military-issued watch. The case is strong with scratches and signs of wear along the edges and around the bezel. The caseback has some scratches and slight oxidation around the spring bars and behind the lugs. The text engraving and numbers on the caseback are fully visible. The spring bar at 12 o'clock has some minor repair work to its center. The dial is in overall very good condition with light patina. The hands are in good condition with patina. The white paint in the hour hand has a spot of repair and the white paint on the minute hand has some wear. The lume on the hands and dial have developed patina and are matching in color. The bezel insert is in good condition. It has scratches and wear around the 10 and between the 12 and one, which is very common for these bezels. The bezel is tight when turning. The crystal has light scratches. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.
