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Alongside Elgin and Hamilton, Benrus was one of the great American watch companies of the 20th century, offering stylish, reliable, and accessible timepieces to a booming post-war market. Within their extensive catalog, the “Three Star” collection represented the pinnacle of their offerings. A “Three Star” watch, like the one we have here, signified a timepiece that was built to a higher standard: shock-resistant, water-resistant, and powered by a top-tier automatic movement. This was Benrus’s flagship line, a symbol of quality and modern American style.
The 1950s was the golden age of the automatic, or “selfwinding,” watch. The convenience of a watch that wound itself through the motion of the wearer’s wrist was a marvel of modern technology and a huge selling point. This Benrus is a fantastic product of that optimistic era. It fully embraces the bold design language of the 1950s, a time of sculptural forms and confident style. The square watch case was a popular and fashionable alternative to the traditional round watch, offering a more architectural and assertive presence on the wrist.
This particular Model CF 1 is a standout example, driven by its wildly cool case design. The gold-plated square body is flanked by incredible, flared “bullhorn” lugs that give the watch a powerful and distinctive personality. The silver dial has aged to a warm, creamy hue and features applied gilt Arabic numerals and classic dauphine hands. A quirky and charming red seconds hand, with a lightning-bolt counterbalance, sweeps across the dial, adding a fantastic pop of color and a touch of mid-century funk. As noted on the inside caseback, this watch was cased and timed in the U.S.A., a testament to Benrus’s proud American heritage.
