The SAGA:
I've featured a military watch or two before; mostly Tudor and Rolex. Watches that the original owners wore in-theatre or during the course of their military career. For my purposes, this Benrus Type 2 is a cut above. It was made specifically to be a combat watch and was subsequently issued directly to the soldiers, sailors, and CIA operatives that wore them.
As a point of comparison, I feel it’s important to reflect upon the Rolex Milsub. Not only because I’m obsessed with the 5517 in particular, but many of the features demanded by the DOD are seen on the MOD’s own military watch.
Fixed bars
Rotating Bezel
Matte finishing on the case
Radioactively “cold” luminous dials
Both the Rolex and the Benrus were Fielded during the same decade. Here we are 40 some-odd years later, both watches are highly sought after among vintage and military collectors alike.
As a personal aside, having owned several of these watches, their timekeeping astounds. A bit finicky to set, but your care will be rewarded with accuracy above and beyond the call of duty.
Tech Specs:
Year of manufacture: 1979
Serial Number: 27XX
Dial: Excellent Luminous Type II with attractive butterscotch plots and matching hands.
Bezel insert: 12:00 has aged slightly darker than the dial. Excellent and crack-free, showing wear from use.
Case: Unpolished 42mm monocoque case that shows wear from use. pitting on 12:00 bar has been filled with epoxy resin to stabilize. Crown appears to be a service unit.
Bracelet: NATO strap.
Movement: Benrus caliber GS1D2 17-jewel. Based on ETA 2620.
Accessories: Creedence sounds better.
Watch was recently, fully serviced and currently runs within COSC spec