Fingers-On: The Benrus Kind II — Spending Some Time With This Vietnam-Period Reissue

There is no such thing as a scarcity of reissue watches in right now’s market. It appears we’ve a style for classic aesthetics mixed with trendy reliability and prepared availability. It’s a profitable recipe, and Benrus is tapping into it as soon as extra with the Benrus Kind II. I’ve spent a while with this one on the wrist to see if Benrus managed to carry the Vietnam-era army vibe.

Beforehand, Benrus reissued the Kind I, which is almost an identical to this Kind II. The distinction is within the dial. Whereas the Kind I is fitted with a dive-style dial, the Kind II’s dial has extra of a subject watch design. A double array of Arabic numerals shows each civilian and army time. Apart from that, there’s one huge distinction — the motion. Benrus caught some criticism for the usage of an atypical ETA caliber with a phantom date place on the Kind I reissue. The model corrected that with a brand new caliber alternative right here.

Some historical past on the Benrus Kind II

In 1970, with the Vietnam Struggle nonetheless raging, the American authorities issued the army specs MIL-W-50717. These specs described a wristwatch within the model of a heavy-duty and super-legible dive watch. Amongst different manufacturers, Benrus answered the transient with the Kind I and Kind II in 1972.

The watches featured asymmetrical instances in bead-blasted chrome steel. The broader proper aspect of the case served as a crown guard. A friction-based rotating bezel was fitted with an acrylic inlay. The clear inlay featured recessed and painted numerals on the underside, leading to a cool 3D impact.

Each the Kind I and Kind II got here in Class A and Class B variations. The distinction was the absence of lume on the Class B. When used on nuclear submarines, the radioactive tritium might disturb a number of the onboard devices, so a non-lumed model was required. The watches would stay in manufacturing unchanged till 1980. An estimated 16,000 items had been produced in complete. All of them had been issued to army personnel, and none had been offered publicly.

Bringing the Benrus Kind II to 2022 spec

At first look, the reissued Benrus Kind II appears to be like precisely like its predecessor. In actual fact, Benrus has a enjoyable little slider on its web site that permits you to evaluate the 2. The visible variations are negligible. Nonetheless, there’s rather a lot that has modified.

For starters, we discover a totally different engine below the hood. The originals had been fitted with ETA 2620 calibers. The brand new one is powered by the Soprod P024 motion. It’s an automated caliber with a 38-hour energy reserve. Benrus doesn’t specify its accuracy. Whereas the originals had been top-loader designs, a neat screw-in case again is used on the reissue. This could permit for simpler servicing.

The acrylic crystal has been changed by a sapphire specimen, and the acrylic bezel insert is now aluminum. It has deeply etched and paint-filled numerals however lacks the cool 3D impact of the unique. Lastly, the unique had a lug width of 19.5mm and stuck bars. The reissue has a extra sensible 20mm lug width and common lug holes to be used with spring bars.

Taking a look on the design

Proudly owning a Marathon Navy Navigator, I’m fairly aware of the overall form of this model of watch. Admittedly, the Marathon is constructed to MIL-PRF-46374G spec, however the result’s slightly comparable from a visible perspective. It’s a look that I like, and I had my eye on Benrus for some time earlier than this overview unit hit my desk.

The Benrus Kind II has fairly a busy dial structure because of the double array of numerals. Add to that the minute observe and triangular lume plots, and you’ve got rather a lot occurring certainly. Nonetheless, wanting on the Kind II from a distance, it’s tremendous clear. It most likely has loads to do with the shortage of branding and different textual content, however this watch appears to be like purposeful.

In hand, there’s a beautiful pebble-like high quality to this watch. The graceful texture of the blasted case mixed with the domed crystal and bezel makes for a really tender form. It feels prefer it has been on the underside of a river for twenty years. And I imply that as a praise. this shall be a cushty watch to put on earlier than you strap it on. And though it’s a chunky and heavy watch, it is vitally snug certainly.

The Benrus Kind II strap

Once I first opened the no-nonsense Benrus zip pouch, I used to be not immediately feeling the usual strap. It is a two-piece black seatbelt nylon strap with quick-release spring bars. It has the identical gloss as your typical precise seatbelts, though it’s a lot softer to the contact.

My first impression was that the black didn’t actually make the watch sing. It was a bit bland. The shiny nylon didn’t sit fairly effectively with me both. After a few days of sporting it, although, it began to make sense to me. Whereas this is likely to be a beast of a watch by way of ruggedness, it is usually discreet within the army sense. It was made to carry out with out drawing undesirable consideration, and this strap may be very a lot according to that vibe. The subdued mixture makes the watch really feel like a really succesful piece of drugs that no one will ever discover. It has an pleasant humility to it.

If you would like a bit of extra pop, you possibly can add a tan strap for an additional $34.95. I would definitely tick that field at this value, particularly for the reason that quick-release spring bars assist you to swap them out in seconds. The one criticism that remained was the truth that the strap {hardware} is brushed, whereas the watch is blasted. It doesn’t match, and that may be a disgrace. This was one place the place a 2022 replace would have regarded good.

Efficiency

There aren’t any two methods about it. It is a device watch in its purest type. The unique was military-issued solely, and the reissue is arguably even harder. The Benrus Kind II is all about efficiency, and I’m completely happy to report it feels that means. It actually does really feel like a piece of metal on the wrist. It’s weighty and feels rock-solid. Or perhaps I ought to say “pebble-solid”. It seems like you can knock out enemies and deflect bullets with it.

After the strap, I had one different preliminary disappointment — the lume. The white BGW9 Tremendous-LumiNova glows blue, nevertheless it doesn’t precisely mild up the room. It is likely to be tempting to match it to your common Seiko and conclude it’s sub-par. Then once more, it’s in excellent concord with the philosophy of this watch. It glows simply sufficient so that you can learn the time. Something extra is simply pointless glitz. And the Benrus Kind II doesn’t do glitz.

When you begin taking a look at this like a real army watch, it makes quite a lot of sense. The caliber is fundamental however dependable and straightforward to service. Keep in mind that the Soprod P024 is principally simply an ETA 2824 in structure. There is likely to be no accuracy claims and a modest 38-hour energy reserve, however what else do you want? Screw down the crown and you’ve got 300 meters of water resistance. A friction-based bi-directional bezel completes a purely purposeful and no-frills bundle. It simply works. And that has its personal form of appeal.

Closing ideas on the Benrus Kind II

The Benrus Kind II actually grew on me. I preferred the appears to be like from the start, nevertheless it slowly charmed its means even deeper into my coronary heart. It jogs my memory of people that mix nice expertise with real modesty. These are the very best individuals to be round should you ask me. The Benrus Kind II is the watch equal. It’s extremely succesful however doesn’t flaunt it.

I feel this watch may attraction primarily to the well-initiated watch lover. It doesn’t have the apparent impressiveness you is likely to be searching for once you first enter the watch world. Sooner or later, nevertheless, you will discover your self eager for one thing like this. One thing that won’t get you any compliments at a celebration. One thing that, on the identical time, does totally impress you. Somewhat personal affair between you and your watch.

To me, that’s simply cool. What do you suppose?

The 42.5mm Kind II wears very effectively, even on my small-ish 17cm wrist

Benrus clearly succeeded in reviving the Vietnam-era military-watch vibe. I’ve dealt with my justifiable share of genuine army watches from the likes of Hamilton, Smiths, Benrus, Seiko, and Glycine. The Benrus Kind II takes that exact vibe and transports it to 2022. I feel the model struck the best stability between authenticity and up to date modernity.

The Benrus Kind II is restricted to 500 items. It’s now obtainable by way of the Benrus web site and retails for $1,495. Tell us your ideas on this reissue within the feedback beneath.

Watch specs