Benrus

Benrus is a watch brand founded in New York City in 1921 by three brothers from the Lazrus family, who came from Romania. The name combines Benjamin's first name with the family surname. Benrus has a long history of making watches for military use and aviation. Its Sky-Chief pilot chronograph is one of the clearest examples of that connection, while other collections draw on watches developed for U.S. military personnel.

The Sky-Chief Pilot Chronograph

The Sky-Chief was originally designed as a watch for pilots. It was built to help with accurate timekeeping in the cockpit, including navigation and cruise calculations.

Benrus has since reissued the Sky-Chief while keeping its connection to aviation.

The current Sky-Chief uses a Swiss-made ETA 2894 automatic chronograph movement. It has a 42-hour power reserve, 100 metres of water resistance, and Super-LumiNova details.

These features make the Sky-Chief a clear part of the brand's aviation watch history. Its original purpose was practical rather than decorative, with functions intended to support pilots during flight.

Benrus also has a historic watch model called the Airman, another connection between the brand and aviation.

Military Watches and Their History

Benrus has supplied watches built to military specifications. During the 1960s, the company was the first to win the MIL-W-3818B contract and produced watches for U.S. troops.

The DTU-2A/P was issued in 1964 to meet updated military requirements. The modern DTU collection includes Super-LumiNova, glow-in-the-dark markers, and 10 ATM water resistance.

In 1972, the Type I was developed to meet demanding military specifications for elite U.S. forces.

The Type II followed the MIL-W-50717 specification. Its design focused on clearer 12-hour and 24-hour time reading for people working in the field.

Modern Versions of Earlier Watches

Several Benrus collections are based on earlier military models.

The Type 3X Zulu takes its inspiration from Type I and Type II watches made during the 1970s. It focuses on legibility, durability, and practical function.

The #3061 was originally a civilian version of the DTU-2A/P field watch. It appeared on Steve McQueen's wrist in the 1968 film Bullitt. Benrus reissued the #3061 in 2025 with small modern changes.

The Type II has also been reissued, and the Type I collection is being expanded.

Other Watches in the Range

Benrus also makes watches connected to diving history. The Ultra-Deep is a 36.5mm twin-crown Supercompressor watch that draws on designs from the 1960s.

Across its collections, Benrus combines military specifications with designs intended for regular wear.

For pilots and aviation enthusiasts, the Sky-Chief is the main reason to explore Benrus. It connects current watchmaking with cockpit timekeeping, while the brand's military collections provide another part of its history.