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In the grand narrative of American watchmaking, few names resonate with the same blend of everyday reliability and rugged, military-grade toughness as Benrus. While they produced a vast range of timepieces, the models bearing the “3 Star” designation were a cut above—a signal of a high-quality, robust, and automatic timepiece. To us, these watches represent the very soul of the company: handsome, no-nonsense machines built to last.
Founded in New York City, Benrus became a cornerstone of the American watch market by importing quality Swiss movements and housing them in stylish, durable cases. Their reputation for producing hard-wearing timepieces was solidified through their extensive contracts with the U.S. military, particularly during the Vietnam War. This military DNA—a focus on legibility, durability, and function-first design—is evident even in their civilian models, and this #7001 Series automatic is a prime example. With its all-stainless steel construction and screw-down waterproof caseback, this watch was built from the ground up to be a trustworthy companion for daily life in the mid-20th century.
This particular example is a stunning and remarkably clean specimen. The beauty here is in its simplicity and clarity. The satin silver dial is crisp and legible, featuring a full set of printed Arabic numerals in a charmingly open, stylized font. The standout feature, without question, is the bold, blued-steel handset. The large, lume-filled triangles give the watch a distinct pilot-watch feel, creating a fantastic visual contrast against the clean dial. It’s a design that is purely functional, and all the more beautiful for it.
