An excellent post, Emilio!

Apr 19, 2010,08:34 AM
 

This really is a great series of watches!  Military watches (and those modern versions inpired by them) have a certain tough-guy appeal that is just sexy and awesome.  I love your watch, and enjoyed learning more about it from your wonderful post!

Cheers,

Daos

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An in deep view about the Benrus Type I Sterile.

 
 By: E.J. : April 17th, 2010-16:14
In the early ´70s some awesome watches born. Them are higly prized by collectors and endlessly copied/hommaged by other firms ... The Desirables Benrus Type I & II. These amazingly durable and accurate watches have faithfully accompanied their owners on m...  

Nice article!

 
 By: mkvc : April 17th, 2010-16:31
That's a lot of interesting information that is new to me.

Thanks, Mkvc!

 
 By: E.J. : April 18th, 2010-15:09
Always is a pleasure learn more about great watches. My pleasure doing it. Best Emilio

thanks

 
 By: sancerre : April 17th, 2010-16:48
That was indeed a wonderful article, thanks for the contribution. --Sancerre

Thanks Sancerre.

 
 By: E.J. : April 18th, 2010-15:11
Happy because you enjoyed this review. Best Emilio

Deep subject

 
 By: MTF : April 17th, 2010-19:25
Thank you for the "in-depth" summary of a very specialised subject. I tend to believe the prototype story for the 'sterile' . If you really wanted to have deniability, the operatives would be using equipment used by other sides e.g. China, USSR or East Ge... 

I'm more convinced of the exotic explanation . . .

 
 By: Dr No : April 18th, 2010-05:22
. . . as the intent was not so much for outright deception as to allow a captured Special Forces operative a plausible cover story as a member of another unit. I've been told of a first hand conversation between a Purist and a retired SAS operative. The f... 

Both explanations are interesting, and exotics at the same time...

 
 By: E.J. : April 18th, 2010-15:18
Protos or watches issued for covert operators (or both versions) must be possible, Art. By the way, them are iconic watches, IMO, with lot of soul and a great history behind. Best Emilio

Thanks, MTF..

 
 By: E.J. : April 18th, 2010-15:15
I think, too, that these watches were prototypes of the Type I Class A. As I said, a less exotic version but interesting at the same time. It makes more interesting and desirable these Sterile versions. Thanks for your nice words, it was my pleasure compi... 

Plausible deniability ...

 
 By: AndrewD : April 18th, 2010-04:45
Very interesting review, Emilio. I always enjoy learning something new about horological history. The hacking seconds are interesting too. I am thinking that I need a sterile F.P.Journe tourbillon. Then when my wife asks me: "isn't that one of those expen... 

Really thanks, Andrew.

 
 By: E.J. : April 18th, 2010-15:24
A great piece of History, indeed. These watches have a lot of soul. And, about you Sterile watch.... ... I think that you must try it. I´m sure that your wife will allow you to buy a sterile tourbillon.... come on, buy it! I will phone Santa....next ... 

informative

 
 By: aldossari_faisal : April 18th, 2010-05:33
and enriching, i just keep discovering other faces and side of watch collecting or loving. Thanks for posting. Faisal

Thanks, Faisal. Informative and interesting review...

 
 By: E.J. : April 18th, 2010-15:25
but this watches deserve it. Thanks for your kind words. BEst Emilio

very informative review thanks Emilio and an excellent example you have

 
 By: G99 : April 18th, 2010-13:12
i had a type 1 class A from 76 in my old collection, but i'm now going to look very very silly. i had another style Benrus dated august 1964. the very month i was born, and i let it go with all the others as i hadnt yet got the idea of collecting birth ye...  

A Class I from 1976.... this is my birth year, Graham.

 
 By: E.J. : April 18th, 2010-15:28
It´s a real pity that your sold this awesome watches. And the one from 1964 would be, now, a perfect watch in your awesome "I born in 1964" collection, Hermano. Don´t be silly, amigo... your enjoyed them! Thanks for your kind words, amigo mio Be... 

This watch talks to me very loud, Emilio.

 
 By: amanico : April 18th, 2010-13:30
The funny thing is that I have this review in stock for many months, now, and that I waited for the good moment to post it... I will wait a bit more. Back to your watch, it is in very good condition from what I see, and I'm very happy that you got it. It ... 

Thanks Hermano. I´m sure that your Autopsy would be perfect!

 
 By: E.J. : April 18th, 2010-15:34
Waiting it, hermano. I´ve compile some info in the net, and I´ve make a mix (un combinado, que se dice en España ) this watch talks to me very loud, too. Now, in my wrist, it has an awesome presence. I love it! Waiting for a nice sunlight t... 

Interesting read. Thanks for that. [nt]

 
 By: Davo : April 18th, 2010-18:18
No message body

Thanks

 
 By: MattS : April 19th, 2010-00:40
Very interesting article!

Thanks, Matts. Not bad at all:))) [nt]

 
 By: E.J. : April 19th, 2010-05:56
No message body

Great Post!! Nicolas Make me discovers this amazing watchs too. About the "deniability" :

 
 By: pifpaf : April 19th, 2010-02:40
I know that French milititary undercover, and US or Soviet too, they use weapon and ammo that are not marked, for exemple, actually french COS, use ofently some Soviet weapon, for can't be specificely identified.... I think that work same for watchs. "It ... 

Thanks, Pifpaf.

 
 By: E.J. : April 19th, 2010-05:59
Nico is a Devil!. He gives us a difficult to beat virus Best, and thanks for your kind words emilio

Sterile?

 
 By: BDLJ : April 21st, 2010-04:15
So in this case, the way to ensure no one knows you're from the US military is to wear a completely unique watch, with no external markings, but a nice BENRUS on the movement.... I always thought the point of unmarked equipment was not to provide deniabil... 

An excellent post, Emilio!

 
 By: dxboon : April 19th, 2010-08:34
This really is a great series of watches! Military watches (and those modern versions inpired by them) have a certain tough-guy appeal that is just sexy and awesome. I love your watch, and enjoyed learning more about it from your wonderful post! Cheers, D... 

Daos, Why girls always love Bad Boys?? :)))

 
 By: E.J. : April 19th, 2010-13:16
I love your words: tough-guy appeal that is just sexy and awesome. Certanlly, sister, this watch has an awesome and strong look, an impressive appereance in your wrist, and it´s History makes it more desirable. Thanks for your, as always, kind words, my d... 

Bad boys are the most fun! :-)

 
 By: dxboon : April 19th, 2010-20:51
Ask your wife, Emilio! I'm sure she agrees! ;-) Have a wonderful week, my friend! Cheers, Daos

Yes, Daos...I´ve just ask to my wife...

 
 By: E.J. : April 20th, 2010-12:48
and she agrees with you. I´m so... I can´t change it! Have a great week you too, my dear hermana Best Emilio

very comprehensive review...

 
 By: FanFrancisco : April 20th, 2010-04:04
... don't know much about this watch until reading this review. very enligthening and am impressed by your knowledge on these watches. should keep this watch safe and many thanks anyway! stefan

Really thanks, Stefan, for your kind words...

 
 By: E.J. : April 20th, 2010-12:54
I don´t have a great knowledge about them, Stefan, so I´ve make a mix of all the info that I´ve find in the net. By the way, thank to it, now I have a bit of knowledge Them are extremely rare and interesting watches. Pure passion and beauty... 

Very nice & good article.

 
 By: andy_s : May 4th, 2010-15:06
...perfect field watch, simple and functional - but taken to its nth degree. Great poachers watch!

Thanks, Andy!

 
 By: E.J. : May 5th, 2010-06:14
Certanlly, in this watch is sure that "less is more". Thanks again for your nice comments. best emilio

Old military Benrus watch

 
 By: kimby23 : August 14th, 2011-22:12
I was reading your post about the military benrus watch. I picked up a benrus watch that is very unique. It is 10 kt rolled gold plate bezel, stainless steel back. It however looks dramatically different then the military issues you have pictured. This pa... 

would really like to see...

 
 By: G99 : August 16th, 2011-02:02
would really like to see pics of this Kimby as its not one i've come across before. G

Benrus military.

 
 By: kimby23 : August 16th, 2011-16:14
My camera is just not that great so I apologize, Underneath the 12 marker is red, white and blue wing, directly underneath this is a square box for the day of week, BENRUS name, then hand dial, and another round dial with straight lines, appears to be a 2...  

and one more

 
 By: kimby23 : August 16th, 2011-16:24
...  

Benrus military

 
 By: kimby23 : August 16th, 2011-16:34
I forgot to mention, in case you can't see from the pictures at the 3-6-9-markers there is merely just a raised gold dot. Mabey it is the generals watch or higher ranking officer watch. I really don't know.

hi Kimby,   in its...

 
 By: G99 : August 17th, 2011-01:25
hi Kimby, in its day it would have been a very nice watch, but the dial seems to be past its best now which is a real shame. it is a benrus, but it isnt a military watch IMO. firstly its gold or gold plated and i've never come across a gold military watch... 

a very nice and underrated collectible

 
 By: georgeszaslavsky : August 16th, 2011-02:48
Very nice post emilio. Ithink people should pay more attention to these watches because they are well made and collectable