When it comes to American watchmakers, Benrus won’t be the first to come to mind. For us, Hamilton, Timex, and Bulova would be first in conversation. Even still, the New York-born Benrus has quite the history, dating back now over a century, including a formidable period where they shifted part of production to make timepieces for the military during World War II and even post-War. Their watches got so popular that they quickly started making civilian versions — Steve McQueen donned the Model #3061 field watch in Bullitt, which is proof enough of their popularity.
Before filing for bankruptcy amidst the Quartz Crisis in the late ’70s, the brand would come out with the Type 2 MIL-SPEC in 1972 under U.S. Department of Defense’s MIL-W-50717 specification for use by the Navy SEALs and UDT. One of the most iconic military watches ever, the Type 2 MIL-SPEC is now being revived for 2025.
Field Watch With Pro Diving Chops
Where the Type 1 leaned harder into diver territory with its simpler dial layout, the Type 2 always felt more like a field watch that happened to be waterproof to 365m. That dual-purpose identity is what made it such a practical tool for special operations, both on land and underwater. The new reissue stays faithful to that hybrid philosophy.
The dial is what sets it apart. Large Arabic numerals circle the perimeter with a smaller 24-hour scale tucked inside, while triangular markers hit every five minutes on the outer track. It’s a cleaner, more legible setup than what you’d find on a pure dive watch, and the matte black finish keeps reflections at bay. Benrus loaded the hands and indices with Super-LumiNova BGW9 for low-light visibility. Likewise, the double-domed sapphire crystal gets dual anti-reflective coatings to eliminate glare.
Downsizing Done Right
The original Type 2 MIL-SPEC from 1972 measured 43mm across and 16mm thick — pretty substantial for the era. Benrus went the opposite direction with this reissue, trimming it down to 39.5mm in diameter and 14.4mm in height. It’s a smarter move for modern wrists, and at 47.66mm lug-to-lug, it should wear comfortably for most people. The sandblasted stainless steel case maintains that military aesthetic with its asymmetrical crown guard on the right side, while the bidirectional bezel uses a black aluminum insert with graduated markers.
Inside, you’ll find an ETA 2892 automatic movement with 42 hours of power reserve — a reliable workhorse that Benrus has been using across its recent reissues. It sits behind the solid caseback which carries the MIL SPEC engraving as a nod to its origins. Lastly, it’s adorned with a black rubber strap with quick-release levers.
Spec Sheet
Model: Type 2 MIL SPEC Reissue
Case Material: 316L stainless steel
Case Size: 39.5mm
Case Thickness: 14.4mm
Lug-to-Lug: 47.66mm
Movement: ETA 2892 automatic
Water Resistance: 365m
Crystal: Double-domed sapphire with dual AR coating
Lume: Super-LumiNova BGW9
Band: Black rubber strap
Pricing & Availability
The Benrus Type 2 MIL SPEC is available now for $1,795 through the brand’s website.
Recap
Benrus Type 2 Mil Spec Reissue 2025
Benrus just brought back the Type 2 MIL-SPEC, the 1972 military watch originally made for Navy SEALs that blends field watch legibility with serious dive capabilities — and they actually made it smaller than the original at 39.5mm.
