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There are tool watches, and then there are military-issued tool watches. The difference is profound. A civilian “tool watch” is designed with an activity in mind; a military-issued watch is a piece of mission-critical equipment, built to a stringent government specification where failure is not an option. Among the most iconic and collectible of these true military pieces is the GG-W-113, and the examples produced by the American brand Benrus are, arguably, the quintessential expression of the form.
The GG-W-113 was the definitive U.S. military field watch specification for the Vietnam War era and beyond. It dictated a clear, legible, and robust timepiece for general infantry and pilots. The goal was utilitarian perfection: a non-reflective, parkerized steel case; a simple, high-contrast dial with both 12- and 24-hour tracks for military timekeeping; and a manual-wind movement with a hacking function, allowing personnel to synchronize their watches to the second for coordinated operations. This wasn’t about style; it was about survival and precision. Benrus, along with Hamilton and Marathon, was one of the key suppliers to the U.S. government, and their watches saw action on the wrists of countless servicemen.
This particular example, dated December 1974 on its case back, is a fantastic and honest survivor. It’s the real deal. The 34mm stainless steel case retains its original parkerized finish, a matte, anti-glare coating that was essential for field use. This is not a watch that was ever meant to be polished or babied, and its condition tells a story of a life well-lived, though gently so. The dial is a study in legibility, with the crisp Arabic numerals and luminous hands and markers showing an honest patina. Per the military spec, the dial is “sterile,” bearing no manufacturer’s logo—a detail that underscores its identity as a pure piece of government equipment.
Powering this watch is the Benrus manual-wind caliber 605, a rugged and reliable movement designed to withstand the rigors of combat. Crucially, it features the all-important hacking seconds mechanism. Pull the crown, and the second hand stops dead in its tracks, ready for synchronization. This feature, more than any other, defines it as a true military timepiece. The case back tells the watch’s story, with all the requisite military contract numbers, the manufacturing date, and the federal stock number clear and legible.
