America's Watchmaking Legacy is Back: The 2025 Benrus Type 1 MilSpec Resurrects History

Benrus has long been accepted as one of the handful of American watch companies revered for producing practical, reliable timepieces without sacrificing style. Pioneers in marrying Swiss precision with American assembly and marketing, Benrus has forged its own niche in the annals of watchmaking history. This triumphant heritage appears to be reemerging, with the exciting return of the emblematic Type 1 MilSpec, albeit in a modern, compact avatar.

Born out of the collective efforts of the Lazrus brothers in 1921, Benrus revolutionized the watch market from the very heart of New York City. Collaborations with renowned personalities such as aviator Charles Lindbergh and baseball superstar Babe Ruth were crucial in Benrus’s speedy market growth.

In the ensuing decades, Benrus showcased their adaptability by expanding into sturdy dive watches, such as the Ultra Deep series. They smoothly transitioned into one of the U.S. military’s trusted suppliers during the Vietnam War, manufacturing robust field watches meeting military specs. This trajectory ultimately culminated in their crafting of the Type I and II dive watches for the Special Forces, solidifying their military reputation.

Although the brand went through a harrowing phase during the Quartz Crisis of the 1970s and 80s, its legacy remained undiminished in the eyes of collectors and military watch enthusiasts. Now led by a seasoned management team, the revived Benrus continues to offer modern reissues of its classics, including the Type I. In 2020, it was reintroduced as a limited edition, triggering renewed interest and appeal. This paves the way for a fascinating journey deeper into the Benrus story, starting with the 2025 Type 1 MilSpec 39.5mm.