Benrus Sovereign Skin Diver

Vintage military and dive watches are one of the most interesting sub-sets of timepiece collecting. For many, they encapsulate the essence of "tool watch" in their most elemental form - if for no other reason than they were built to be issued to sailors, soldiers and airmen and brought into some of the harshest environments possible. Their stark, no-frills designs were universally practical, tough-as-a-brick-shithouse rugged, and a large number of them were actually used for what they were designed for, unlike the vast majority of "desk divers" we more commonly see today. Benrus was one of the preferred suppliers of the US Government starting in the early 1960s, when they started producing pieces in large quantities for pilots and infantrymen in the Vietnam war. In the 1970s, the government created special sub-classes for their most demanding users - including elite military divers - and issued the MIL-W-50717 specification. This particular piece, while not itself military issued, followed the same format. A Sovereign Skin Diver, this aluminum timepiece was equipped with waterproof and shock resistant technology, allowing this piece to weather the elements like no other. Housed in a 35mm case, this piece features a funky dial configuration with block cardinal numerals, broad-stick handset and even patina throughout! In honest condition from consistent hard use, this piece captures so much of what we love about vintage watches in a single beautiful package.