A mysterious watch just joined the family...

Jul 08, 2010,03:50 AM
 



A hint...

No name on the dial, but a whole book engraved on the case back. smile



A ghost?

smile

Let's put more light...



Now it begins to be clear?



Benrus Type II / A.

I already own the Type I, the sterile, to be more precise, but I also wanted to get the II, for its typical military dial, which is less original than the Type I, indeed, but not less interesting.





A true Benrus: Screw in crown, hacking movement, one case build, sectored hands.

Some military engravings...



A superb superdomed plexy:





So, Type I or Type II?





Both, for sure!

smile

Best,

Nicolas.

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Comments: view entire thread

 

Very nice toy. Beautiful dial and patina.

 
 By: VMM : July 8th, 2010-04:18
Numbers on the bezel look alive. Love them. Go vintage or die. Enjoy it, mate. Vte

Like floating numbers...Exactly, Vicente!

 
 By: amanico : July 8th, 2010-05:30
These Benrus are really cool watches, and a superb alternative to the Rolex Subs, Omega Seamaster, or Blancpain FFs... Best, and thanks for the nice words, Hermano. Nicolas

CHEEKY INDEED

 
 By: MattS : July 8th, 2010-04:45
Nice addition to the already very comprehensive collection of vintage divers my friend! Matt

4 or 5 more, and I'm done!

 
 By: amanico : July 8th, 2010-05:28
Heeerm, maybe 6 more? The end of the Vintage Diving Thema is near, Matt. But the few which remains to find are true rare birds, so it may take some time... Best, Nicolas

What a beautiful grail watch :-) [nt]

 
 By: hans_jorgen_1968 : July 8th, 2010-05:49
No message body

Well, Grail is maybe a bit exagerated, but

 
 By: amanico : July 8th, 2010-09:31
Cool, lovely, and interesting sound more than correct. And its History is the cherry on the cake. Best, and thanks for your enthusiastic input, my friend. Nicolas

TYPE I

 
 By: aldossari_faisal : July 8th, 2010-06:14
amazing consistent search lead you to obtain two of one of the exceptional watches, with such an attractive patina . enjoy your watches and thanks for posting NICOLAS. Faisal

Thanks a lot, Faisal.

 
 By: amanico : July 8th, 2010-09:39
Be sure that I enjoy and cherish each of them! One day, I will try to make a post on all my Military watches, there are some very cool one! Best, Nicolas

Damn, these are great watches, Nico! I've thought . . .

 
 By: Dr No : July 8th, 2010-07:56
. . . about getting one of the Mk II homage versions, but the allure of vintage is stronger. Most pleased, Art

Don't go for the Homage, Art...

 
 By: amanico : July 8th, 2010-09:38
Go for the original one, my friend. Just be careful on some points: The crowm must be " male female " type, and screw in. The movement must be hacking. The Plexy has to be very domed, and perfectly integrated to the bezel. For once, the original won't cos... 

Not much danger there, Nicolas . . .

 
 By: Dr No : July 8th, 2010-09:48
. . . the re-issue is nice enough, but doesn't have the charm of an original. I'm thinking more along the lines of a cal 910 Flightmaster these days for a rugged tool watch . . . one-kidney Art

He He, Omega Boy!

 
 By: amanico : July 8th, 2010-09:52
You're faith to your convictions! Respectuously yours, Il Consigliere.

Great looking watches Nicolas...

 
 By: aboen : July 8th, 2010-11:02
I love them both ! type II might just be my first vintage watch in my collection in the near future. Best Drew

Highyl recommended, Drew...

 
 By: amanico : July 8th, 2010-11:06
Each of them! Best, anbd good hunt! Nicolas

Less is more!

 
 By: peregrino : July 8th, 2010-11:48
I like the one to the right very much. Reminds me of the Panerai Cali dial. Cool watches you have there! Best Rob.

Indeed, Rob...

 
 By: amanico : July 8th, 2010-11:55
There is someting like a " déjà vu " on the Sterile dial... Something between the Fifity Fathoms, the Rolex Sub, and a Cali without numbers, but with the same strenght. Thanks for your comments. Best, Nicolas

BTW very cool straps

 
 By: hans_jorgen_1968 : July 8th, 2010-15:01
You need to teach me where to find these awesome straps Cheers Hans

Not difficult at all to find, my friend.

 
 By: amanico : July 8th, 2010-22:25
Just google Nato Straps, and you will have hundreds of possibilities... Best, Nicolas

Love the Military Benrus'

 
 By: mrsnak : July 8th, 2010-17:11
Yours is a really nice later evolution of mine. Very nice find for you! This message has been edited by mrsnak on 2010-07-08 17:15:53...  

Thanks, mrsnak.

 
 By: amanico : July 8th, 2010-22:31
For the nice word, but also for this picture of your earlier model. These Benrus are really special: They have something you can feel, but which is very difficult to put in words... Rough but nice, simple and efficient toolwatch. I love them a lot. Best, ... 

Congratulations!

 
 By: dxboon : July 9th, 2010-08:34
Another nice pick-up, Vlad! I like these military watches. For me, the Type I is preferable, as I don't generally go for 24-hour dials, but I love the clean look of both pieces. Very, very nice. What pieces are you missing from your theme now, I wonder? E... 

Well, Daos, I still miss so many ...

 
 By: amanico : July 9th, 2010-14:10
The Polaris 65 Vintage, the Droz Super Compressor for the R.A.N, the Bulova Super Compressor 42 mm, the IWC Ref 812, another FF, and I think it will be enough... As for the Benrus, I love both of them, but my first choice was the sterile, indeed. Same tas... 

Better pics...

 
 By: amanico : July 9th, 2010-14:18
Best, Nicolas...  

Wow, hermano!. Now you have "la parejita"!! :))

 
 By: E.J. : July 11th, 2010-04:40
Great hunt, my dear Nicolás! I love this Benrus Type I and II. Them are really interesting watches, with an awesome look, which make them really desirable. In my case, I love a bit more the strong and "bad boy" look in the Sterile version, but both are re... 

Hope all is well, Emilio...

 
 By: amanico : July 11th, 2010-04:45
Long time no talk! Well, you know me, when I have doubts, I have to get both of them, this is my golden rule! As you, I prefer the Sterile, but I couldn't ignore the Type II, with its characteristic 24 hours dial. Now, I can get some rest, as the pair is ...