BENRUS Ultra-Deep

In an era defined by oversized timepieces, the reintroduction of a watch that adheres to classic proportions is a notable event. The BENRUS Ultra-Deep, a model resurrected from the 1960s, makes its return not as part of a planned seasonal collection, but as a direct response to popular demand from collectors and enthusiasts. This timepiece hails from the golden age of scuba diving, a period when tool watches were defined by their legibility, durability, and no-nonsense engineering. Its return is a nod to a specific and revered chapter in the history of underwater exploration.

The Ultra-Deep is a name that resonates with followers of the BENRUS brand, standing as one of the most distinct and sought-after models in the company's archives. This re-issue is intended to be a faithful revival, preserving the core spirit of the mid-century original while thoughtfully integrating contemporary manufacturing and engineering to ensure it meets modern standards of reliability. It is a piece that bridges the gap between vintage appeal and present-day performance expectations.



The BENRUS story itself is rooted in a specific kind of twentieth-century ambition. The company was founded in 1921 in New York City, not in the valleys of Switzerland, but in Manhattan. Its founders were three brothers, Benjamin, Oscar, and Ralph Lazrus, immigrants from Romania who pursued their vision of the American dream. The brand's name itself is a portmanteau, combining the first syllable of Benjamin's name with the family surname, Lazrus.

This New York origin story is central to the brand's identity, which is described as being "made of grit." BENRUS built its reputation on producing timepieces that were robust and dependable. This culminated in the brand becoming a supplier of watches for the U.S. military. This history of building to military specifications (Mil-Spec) provides an important backdrop for a tool watch like the Ultra-Deep, reinforcing a legacy of creating instruments designed to withstand harsh environments.

The new Ultra-Deep immediately distinguishes itself with its case. In a market saturated with 42mm and larger dive watches, this model returns with its original and versatile 36.5mm diameter. This compact size is not just a historical callback; it offers a distinct wearing experience that many modern collectors are actively seeking. The restrained size is further enhanced by a very wearable lug-to-lug length of 41.5mm, ensuring it sits comfortably on a wide variety of wrists.

The case architecture is defined by its twin-crown design, a hallmark of the "Supercompressor" style watches of the 1960s. This layout is both functional and visually balanced. The watch features two prominent, deeply grooved crowns on the right side of the case. While the originals relied on case pressure to seal, this modern iteration has been upgraded with a full screw-down system for both crowns, a significant update that secures its depth rating and provides peace of mind.



This robust construction, featuring a stainless steel case and the aforementioned screw-down crowns, achieves a water resistance of 20 ATM. This is equivalent to 660 feet, or as the caseback engraving confirms, 666 feet (20 ATMOS). This depth rating firmly establishes the Ultra-Deep as a capable dive watch, ready for real-world aquatic use far beyond what its vintage-inspired aesthetics might suggest.

Visually, the case finishing is clean and purposeful. The tops of the lugs feature a fine, satin-brushed finish, which helps to minimize the appearance of everyday scratches and reinforces its tool-watch nature. This is contrasted by polished case sides, which add a touch of refinement. The solid, screw-down caseback is polished and features clear engravings of the brand name, the "Ultra-Deep" model designation, and its "PRESSURE TESTED 20 ATMOS 666FT" rating.

One of the most character-rich features of the Ultra-Deep is its crystal. Instead of a modern, flat sapphire, BENRUS has opted for a double-domed acrylic crystal. This is a deliberate choice that directly honors its 1960s heritage. Acrylic provides a unique warmth and a slight, engaging distortion when viewed from acute angles, an effect prized by vintage collectors. It is also more shatter-resistant than sapphire, though more prone to scratching—scratches that can, however, often be easily buffed out.

Housed beneath this domed crystal is another unique feature: an internal date magnification window. Rather than placing a "cyclops" lens on the exterior of the crystal, the magnification element is applied to the underside. This maintains a perfectly smooth and uninterrupted top surface while still enlarging the date numeral, which is displayed through a sharp-edged window at the 3 o'clock position.

The dial and bezel work in harmony. The watch features a deep black dial that merges seamlessly with the 60-minute rotating inner timing bezel. This internal bezel, which is actuated by the lower crown at the 4 o'clock position, stretches from edge to edge. This design trick gives the illusion of a much larger watch face, maximizing legibility within the 36.5mm case diameter.



The internal bezel itself is marked for diving. It features a prominent triangle at the 60-minute mark, bold Arabic numerals at 15, 30, and 45, and rectangular bars for the intervening five-minute intervals. This layout allows a diver to align the triangle with the minute hand and track elapsed time, a fundamental function of any dive watch.

The main dial features a highly legible layout. The hour markers are a combination of applied, cream-colored indices that intentionally mimic the look of aged tritium from the original models. There are large rectangular bars at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, with a large, inverted triangle at the 12 o'clock position for clear orientation. The remaining hours are marked with bold, circular plots.

The handset is another direct pull from the heritage model, using distinctive cathedral-style hour and minute hands. This ornate design, common in early 20th-century military and field watches, adds a significant amount of vintage character. The broad, intricate hands are filled with luminescent material, making them easy to distinguish from the simple, lume-tipped "lollipop" seconds hand.

Legibility in low-light conditions is a critical component of any dive watch, and the Ultra-Deep addresses this with a generous application of C3 Super-LumiNova. This high-performance luminescent paint is applied to the dial markers, the cathedral hands, the tip of the seconds hand, and all the critical markings on the internal bezel—the triangle, numerals, and five-minute bars.

When charged, the C3 lume glows a bright, powerful green. The visual effect is striking, as the entire time-telling and time-tracking system becomes illuminated. The ability to read not only the current time but also the elapsed dive time via the bezel in the dark confirms the watch's status as a functional instrument.



Powering the Ultra-Deep is the Soprod P024 automatic movement. This Swiss-made caliber is a reliable and well-regarded workhorse, known for its stability and serviceability. It is based on the architecture of the venerable ETA 2824-2, operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and providing a 38-hour power reserve. This movement also allows for a quick-set date function, a modern convenience that makes setting the watch a simple task.

The choice of the Soprod P024 aligns with the BENRUS commitment to Swiss manufacturing. The brand states that its watches are designed, engineered, and assembled in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, using high-quality components and Swiss movements, ensuring a high standard of quality control and performance.

The Ultra-Deep is presented on a stainless steel bracelet that complements its mixed vintage and modern identity. It is a "Jubilee-style" bracelet, featuring a five-link design. This construction, with smaller polished center links flanked by brushed outer links, is renowned for its comfort and ability to conform to the wrist. It drapes exceptionally well and provides a look that can be dressed up or down.

This bracelet is also equipped with a modern quick-release system. This allows the owner to remove the bracelet from the watch case in seconds without the need for a spring bar tool. This is a highly practical feature that encourages strap changes and enhances the watch's versatility.

To that end, the watch package also includes a complimentary blue nylon NATO dive strap. This secondary strap completely changes the character of the watch, leaning into its military and aquatic heritage. The blue nylon is a classic choice for a dive watch, offering a comfortable, secure, and water-ready option that is perfect for casual wear or its intended use in the water.



The reintroduction of the BENRUS Ultra-Deep is a calculated move, offering a package that appeals directly to those who appreciate dive watch history and more compact case sizes. It faithfully reinterprets the key design codes of the 1960s original—the twin-crown case, the cathedral hands, and the acrylic crystal—while building it to modern specifications with a screw-down crown system, 20 ATM water resistance, and a reliable Swiss automatic movement.

For those interested in acquiring this piece of revived history, the BENRUS Ultra-Deep is priced at $1,195.00. It offers a compelling mix of vintage design, robust build quality, and versatile accessories, standing as a special reintroduction for a community of enthusiasts who specifically asked for its return.

Case: 36.5mm stainless steel case, 13.8mm height, 41.5mm lug to lug, 18mm lug width. Features screw-down twin crowns, 20 ATM (660 feet) water resistance, and an acrylic double-domed crystal with an internal date magnification window.

Movement: Swiss-made Soprod P024 automatic movement. Features a 38-hour power reserve and a quick set date function.

Dial: Black dial with an internal rotating 60-minute dive bezel. Uses C3 Super-LumiNova on dial markers, cathedral-style hands, and bezel.

Strap: Stainless steel Jubilee-style bracelet with quick-release system. Includes a complimentary blue nylon NATO dive strap.

Price: $1,195.00

Reference Number: UD-SA-BK-SS

Notes: A reissue of the 1960s Ultra-Deep model, brought back by popular demand. It retains the vintage-inspired 36.5mm twin-crown Supercompressor style case and a period-correct acrylic crystal.