1973 Benrus Type II class A

Benrus was the sole winner of the MIL-W-3818 contract to produce a field watch for US soldiers in Vietnam.

Then a preferred supplier of watches to the U.S. government, in the 1970s the government issued the MIL-W-50717 specification. Creating special subclasses of wristwatches for the most demanding users, including elite military divers like the Navy SEALS, who fought in the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War.

Benrus produced the Type II from 1972 through the 1980s. Inside its large asymmetrical 43mm corrosion-resistant steel case the watch is powered by the 2620 ETA automatic movement. Benrus designed the Type II’s parkerized steel case for a depth of 1,200 feet, making it a perfect tool watch for diving.

As part of the Type II specification, approximately 9,000 pieces were designated as “Class A”, the highest quality that can be attributed to military equipment. The Type II Class A dial features small luminescent triangles over the numerals for each hour and a bi-directional bezel.

This is a military diving watch, a true combat tool.