BENRUS

The BENRUS Type 2 UJ carries the DNA of one of the most purpose-built military watches ever issued. In the 1960s, BENRUS became a trusted supplier to the U.S. armed forces, its watches seeing service from the jungles of Vietnam to the depths navigated by Navy SEALs, UDT divers, Army Rangers, Green Berets, and CIA operatives. By the early ’70s, the Pentagon realized these specialists needed something tougher and more versatile. Under Mil-Spec MIL-W-50717, BENRUS delivered the Type I, a pure dive watch, and the Type II, which added 12/24-hour legibility for fast mission timing in the field.

The modern Type 2 UJ stays true to that no-nonsense ethos but with modern refinements. Its 41.5mm sandblasted 316L stainless steel case, finished in bronze PVD, feels rugged yet understated. A double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating nods to vintage military style while improving clarity. BW G9 Super-LumiNova ensures visibility in low light, and the uni-directional bezel combines brushed bronze PVD with a ceramic inner ring for durability.

Powering it is the Swiss ETA 2892, a slim, reliable caliber with a 42-hour reserve. Flip it over and the sapphire case back offers a view of the movement, a luxury absent from the original Mil-Spec. With 20 ATM water resistance and a supple brown leather strap, it’s assembled in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The Type 2 UJ proves a hard-use military watch can evolve with grace without losing its edge.