BENRUS Type 2 MIL SPEC

The legacy of military-issued timepieces is built on a foundation of absolute necessity. These watches were not accessories; they were critical equipment, commissioned under demanding government specifications to perform reliably in the most unforgiving conditions imaginable. Among the most respected names in this field is BENRUS, a brand that supplied American forces for decades. In 1972, this legacy was cemented with the creation of the BENRUS Type 2, a watch developed specifically for elite special operations units, including the U.S. Navy SEALs and Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT). Today, that same spirit of uncompromising function is reborn in the new 2025 collection with the BENRUS Type 2 MIL SPEC, a timepiece that bridges its historic military blueprint with the materials and engineering of modern Swiss watchmaking.



BENRUS itself has a storied history, originating not in the valleys of Switzerland, but in Manhattan in 1921. The brand's philosophy was a potent combination of American ingenuity and Swiss manufacturing expertise, allowing them to create dependable watches for a broad audience. By the 1960s, BENRUS had become one of the most prominent watch brands in the United States, producing over a million timepieces annually. This success was built on both popular civilian models and, crucially, a deep-rooted relationship with the U.S. military. BENRUS was instrumental in designing and popularizing innovative complications and robust tool watches, playing a significant role in 20th-century American horology.



The original 1972 Type 2 was a direct response to the U.S. military's MIL-W-50717 specification. This document laid out the stringent requirements for a watch that could survive the specialized, high-stress environments of special forces. It was designed in parallel with the Type 1, which featured a sterile dial (no numerals), but the Type 2 was distinguished by its highly legible dial with a full set of Arabic numerals. This made the Type 2 a mission-ready tool for professionals who needed to read the time at a literal glance, whether they were timing a dive, coordinating a maneuver, or navigating in low light. Its rugged build and steadfast reliability made it an icon of military-issued gear.



After more than a century since its founding, the independent, New York-based brand is re-emerging in 2025, bringing modernized versions of its most sought-after tool watches to a new generation. This new Type 2 MIL SPEC is not a one-for-one reproduction but a careful evolution. It maintains the utilitarian soul of the original, a purpose-built and uncompromising tool. However, it thoughtfully integrates contemporary upgrades like a sapphire crystal, superior luminescent material, and a modern Swiss automatic movement, reimagining the watch for today's collectors, adventurers, and anyone who appreciates robust, function-first design.



The watch is entirely Swiss Made, with all design, engineering, and manufacturing taking place in La Chaux-de-Fonds, a town legendary in the watchmaking world. This commitment ensures that the timepiece is assembled using high-quality components and powered by a Swiss ETA movement. The "Swiss Made" designation is not just a label; it's a guarantee of a certain standard of quality and craftsmanship, continuing the brand's original hybrid of American design heritage and Swiss technical prowess.



The case of the Type 2 MIL SPEC is a masterclass in functional, military-inspired design. It measures 39.5 mm in diameter, a modern "sweet spot" that offers significant presence without being oversized, making it wearable for a wide variety of wrist sizes. This diameter, combined with a lug-to-lug length of 47.66 mm, ensures the watch sits comfortably and securely. The case height is 14.40 mm, a dimension that accounts for the rugged construction, automatic movement, and the pronounced, protective crystal.



Visually, the case is defined by its full sandblasted 316L stainless steel finish. This is a non-negotiable feature for a true tool watch. The sandblasting process creates a completely matte, non-reflective surface that eliminates glare and hotspots. This tactical finish looks serious and purposeful, resisting the small scuffs and scratches of daily wear better than polished steel. The case shape itself is asymmetric, with a "hump" on the right side that forms an integrated crown guard, protecting the screw-down crown from impacts that could compromise the watch's integrity.



Water resistance is a core pillar of this watch's identity. The Type 2 MIL SPEC is rated to 36.5 ATM, which translates to 1200 feet (or 365 meters). This is achieved through the combination of a robust case, a solid screw-down caseback, and a screw-down crown. This level of water resistance far exceeds the needs of recreational scuba diving and solidifies the watch's credentials as a true "go-anywhere" piece of equipment, ready for extreme conditions above and below the surface.



Topping the case is a double-domed sapphire crystal. This is a significant upgrade from the acrylic crystals of the 1970s. Sapphire is extremely scratch-resistant, second only to diamond in hardness, ensuring the watch's face remains clear even after hard use. The double-domed shape means both the outer and inner surfaces of the crystal are curved, which helps reduce visual distortion when viewing the dial from an angle. Furthermore, a double anti-reflective coating has been applied to minimize reflections and maximize legibility.



The dial is the watch's primary interface, and it adheres strictly to the military principles of clarity and legibility. The base is a deep, matte black, providing the highest possible contrast for the white markers and hands. There is no extraneous text or decoration; every element serves a purpose. The layout is a classic "field" design, featuring large, bold Arabic numerals for the hours 1 through 12. These are the primary focus, designed to be read instantly.



Inside this main track is a secondary, smaller set of numerals marking the 24-hour time (13 through 24). This is a hallmark of military-spec watches, designed for environments where a 24-hour clock (or "military time") is the standard, eliminating any ambiguity between AM and PM. This practical feature is just as useful today for travelers or anyone coordinating across time zones.



The hands are simple, effective, and filled with luminescent material. The hour hand is a thick, blocky shape, and the minute hand is a pointed "sword" or "pencil" style, making them easy to differentiate. The seconds hand is a simple stick with an arrow-shaped tip, also lumed, which is a critical feature for confirming the watch is running in low-light or underwater conditions.



Legibility in darkness is guaranteed by the generous application of BG W9 Super-LumiNova. This specific compound is known for its bright, long-lasting glow. The luminescent material is applied to all 12 of the main Arabic hour numerals, all three hands (hour, minute, and seconds), and the triangular 12 o'clock marker on the bezel. When charged, this lume glows a bright, clear green, allowing the time to be read in complete darkness.



Surrounding the dial is a bi-directional rotating bezel. The bezel itself is crafted from the same sandblasted 316L stainless steel as the case, maintaining the watch's cohesive, tactical look. It features an aluminum inner ring, which is marked not with a typical 60-minute dive scale, but with a 12-hour scale. This type of bezel is incredibly useful, allowing the user to track a second time zone. By rotating the bezel's triangle to align with the current hour of another time zone, the hour hand will then point to the corresponding hour on the bezel, effectively turning the watch into a GMT.



The bi-directional rotation makes this adjustment quick and easy. The edge of the bezel is knurled with a fine, grippy texture, allowing it to be turned easily, even with wet hands or while wearing gloves. This functional choice further enhances the "tool" aspect of the timepiece, adding a layer of practical utility for travelers or professionals.



Powering the Type 2 MIL SPEC is the Swiss ETA 2892 automatic movement. This movement is a well-respected and reliable workhorse in the watch industry, known for its relative thinness, accuracy, and robust construction. It's a significant step up from many entry-level automatics and has often been used as the base for more complicated, high-end movements by other luxury brands. This automatic caliber means the watch is powered by the motion of the wearer's wrist, eliminating the need for a battery.



The ETA 2892 in this watch provides a solid 42-hour power reserve. This allows the owner to set the watch down for a day and a half, and it will still be ticking when they pick it back up. The choice of such a proven, high-quality Swiss movement reinforces the watch's built-in reliability. It's a "set it and forget it" engine that is designed to perform accurately for years, just as the original military specification demanded.



The watch is secured to the wrist by a 20mm black rubber strap, which fastens with a simple, sandblasted pin buckle that matches the case finish. This choice is perfectly aligned with the watch's utilitarian nature. Rubber is completely waterproof, durable, comfortable, and easy to clean, making it the ideal strap for diving, swimming, or any other demanding physical activity. It provides a secure, flexible fit that is superior to leather or nylon in wet conditions.



Flipping the watch over reveals a solid, closed caseback. For a serious tool watch, especially one with a high water-resistance rating, a solid caseback is the most robust and practical choice, superior to a display window. The caseback is sandblasted to match the case and features engravings that confirm the watch's identity and heritage. This includes the brand name, water resistance, "Swiss Made" designation, and a serial number.



Most importantly, the caseback bears the proud MIL SPEC engraving. This text, arranged in a military-style format, is a direct nod to the watch's origins and the MIL-W-50717 specification it was born from. It's a final stamp of authenticity, a testament to its uncompromising design philosophy and its direct lineage from one of the toughest military watches ever made.



The BENRUS Type 2 MIL SPEC (Reference: T2MS-SS-B-395-01) has been unveiled as part of the brand's 2025 collection, making its debut at Windup New York. This modern reinterpretation of a military icon is priced at $1,795.00. For this, the buyer receives a Swiss-made timepiece with a high-grade ETA automatic movement, a 1200-foot water-resistant case, a sapphire crystal, and a design that is a direct descendant of a watch issued to America's most elite military units. It is a piece of history, rebuilt for today.



Case: 39.5 mm diameter, 14.40 mm height, 47.66 mm lug to lug, 20mm lug width. Full sandblasted 316L stainless steel case w/ screw-down crown. Bi-directional rotating sandblasted 316L stainless steel bezel with aluminum inner ring. Double domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating. Closed, sandblasted case back with MIL SPEC engraving. Water resistance 36.5 ATM (365m / 1200 feet).

Movement: Swiss Made ETA 2892 automatic movement. 42-hour power reserve.

Dial: Black dial with Arabic numerals and 24-hour track. BW G9 Super-LumiNova on dial markers and hands.

Strap: 20mm black rubber strap with pin buckle.

Price: $1,795.00

Reference Number: T2MS-SS-B-395-01

Notes: A modern reintroduction of the historic 1972 BENRUS Type 2, originally developed for U.S. military special operations units (Navy SEALs, UDT) under the MIL-W-50717 specification. Part of the 2025 collection, unveiled at Windup New York. All watches are Swiss Made in La Chaux-de-Fonds.