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In the landscape of American watch history, Benrus sits shoulder-to-shoulder with giants like Bulova and Hamilton. While they were famous for their military contracts (producing the legendary field watches of Vietnam and WWII), their civilian “Three Star” line was the pride of their catalog. These stars were more than just a logo; they were a seal of quality, denoting the brand’s self-winding models that were marketed as the perfect balance of elegance and utility for the modern man.
The Series #7001 captures the transition of watch design from the dressy 1950s to the more functional 1970s. The standout feature is undoubtedly the “Three Star” logo applied to the dial, a cool and retro graphic element that adds immediate visual interest. The sunburst finish on the dial (typically silver or champagne) radiates light beautifully, providing a dynamic background for the blocky, applied indices. The inclusion of a Day-Date window at 3 o’clock pushes this watch into the realm of a true daily driver, offering the same functionality as a Rolex Day-Date but with a distinct mid-century American character.
Benrus often utilized front-loading (monocoque) cases for these series to improve water and dust resistance, a smart engineering choice that eliminated the caseback seal as a point of entry for moisture. Inside, you will typically find a sturdy Swiss automatic movement (often from ETA or A. Schild), the kind of tractor engine that, with basic service, will outlive most modern smartwatches.
This specific example is a testament to the “Mad Men” era of accessibility. It isn’t a delicate gold dress watch, nor is it a brutish dive watch. It occupies that sweet spot in the middle, a handsome, reliable companion that looks as good with a polo shirt as it does under a blazer.
