Benrus
US NAVY SEAL-TEAM Type II - MIL-Class A

Military watch — American Benrus Type II "Seal Team" from 1973. A diving watch used by U.S. special forces during the Vietnam War. Nicknamed “The SEALs’ Submariner,” this watch is remarkable in several ways: Its monobloc one-piece construction requires movement access through the top of the case, by removing the domed glass and dial (ensuring maximum water and humidity resistance). It is also one of the few U.S. military-issued watches with fixed spring bars for the strap — similar to British military watches — to prevent loss or tearing during combat. Today, this is an exceptionally rare model: fewer than 1,000 units of the Type II Class A were made, mostly assigned to the Marines and the U.S. Navy. For the Class A Type I, production is estimated at 6,000 pieces. Manufactured by Benrus from 1972 to 1980, a small unmarked batch was produced for CIA operatives and Delta Force combat divers.

The Benrus factory produced a total of 9,000 cases (including service modules), so it’s estimated that only two-thirds of those became full watches. It’s important to note that many of these watches saw intense action, with numerous pieces lost in combat along with their owners (MIA – Missing in Action).

Automatic winding watch, Benrus GS1D2 calibre with 17 jewels, featuring an olive-green anti-magnetic case treated against corrosion. This collector’s watch has a matte black dial with dual twelve and twenty-four-hour scales and white Tritium-lumed hands. Its bidirectional rotating bezel is marked for twelve hours, with special minute markings from zero to four. This feature allows reference to GMT time or countdown intervals of up to twenty minutes — commonly used for timed explosive charges. The domed crystal is scratch-resistant and anti-reflective, serving as the waterproof "lid" since the watch case is monobloc — similar to the Omega Seamaster 600 ProPloprof professional dive watch. The screw-down crown enhances overall waterproofing.

This diving watch, equipped with fixed spring bars, is operationally worn with a NATO strap. On the back of the case are official issue engravings including its serial number and issuance date. As a rare collectible, this Benrus Type II enjoys immense demand and prestige, particularly in the U.S. collector scene.

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