Benrus

Founded in Manhattan in 1921 by brothers Benjamin, Oscar and Ralph Lazrus, Benrus is an American watch brand with deep ties to military history. Its name combines Benjamin’s first name with the opening letters of the Lazrus family name. During the 1960s, Benrus secured a major military contract and supplied watches manufactured according to U.S. military specifications.This experience led to the development of purpose-built tool watches for soldiers, field operatives and combat divers. In 1972, the brand created the Type I to meet the MIL-W-50717 military specification established for elite U.S. units. This professional dive watch was distinguished by its protective asymmetrical case, excellent legibility and exceptionally robust construction.It became closely associated with Navy SEALs, Underwater Demolition Teams and other branches of the U.S. military. The Type II shared the same technical architecture but featured a 12- and 24-hour dial designed for both field and underwater operations. Today’s re-editions remain faithful to these historic models while incorporating Swiss automatic movements, sapphire crystals and water resistance of approximately 370 metres. Benrus therefore continues to embody an authentic vision of the professional dive watch: a reliable, highly legible and durable military instrument.