Benrus Sky Chief

Early Pilot Chronographs are straight up cool. Regardless of the name on the dial, these watches from the 50s easily catch our attention.  In the 1940s, watches made by Benrus were flying off the shelves… literally. And among them, the best-known is this watch: the Sky Chief, perhaps one of the most perfect pilot’s watches ever made.  The Sky Chief, introduced in 1940, is without a doubt the brand’s most famous chronograph. Though it was released in several variations (including triple-date models), it’s the pilot’s version that’s become the most iconic. At first glance, it’s a tool watch, looking much like the chronographs worn by the world’s air forces.  This Benrus Sky Chief features a heavily patinated three register silver-tone dial with a coin-edged finish to the bezel. The bi-directional rotating bezel features a tiny red timing indicator, a small but important detail that so many of these mid-century chronographs feature. Elongated blued steel hands stretch across the dial as well as fill the sub-dials.  This piece represents an important element of the watch industry of the 50s, an industry that endeavored to build capable tools for a purpose. If you're into adding unique vintage chronographs to your collection that don't break the bank, this Benrus might just be the perfect solution.