Don't miss the next drop
There are few complications in the world of vintage watches that deliver as much visual charm and mechanical artistry as the triple calendar. In an era before digital screens, the ability to display the day, date, and month on one’s wrist was a mark of true sophistication—a complex dance of gears and springs that felt like magic. And while the storied Swiss houses often get the credit, it was fantastic American brands like Benrus that brought this incredible functionality to the discerning everyman.
Benrus was a titan of the American watch industry in the mid-20th century, known for offering robust, stylish, and mechanically interesting Swiss-made watches at an accessible price point. The post-war period was a golden age for them, and this triple calendar is a quintessential example of their finest work. Powered by a manual-winding movement, these watches were marvels of micro-engineering. The calendar functions are adjusted via small pushers on the case side, a tactile interaction that connects the wearer directly to the machine and the charming realities of a non-perpetual calendar. It’s a complication that demands a moment of your attention, and is all the more rewarding for it.
This particular example is, simply put, a knockout. Housed in a versatile and durable 32mm stainless steel case, it’s the dial that truly sings. The silvered finish has aged beautifully, providing a perfect backdrop for the symphony of information. A chapter ring of brilliant blue numerals for the date lines the perimeter, indicated by a wonderfully distinct hand with a red crescent tip. The day and month are displayed in neat, balanced apertures below 12 o’clock, while a subsidiary seconds register at 6 provides a constant sense of motion. The warm, gilt-tone handset and Arabic numerals tie it all together, creating a look that is balanced, legible, and endlessly fascinating.
This watch is a true survivor, and its condition is stunning. The dial is incredibly clean and appears to be all original, with crisp printing throughout. The steel case is sharp, retaining its factory lines and proportions, suggesting a life of careful wear. This is not a piece that has been polished into oblivion; this is an honest, well-preserved example of a classic mid-century complicated watch.
