It’s About Time Inc. is now an authorized Benrus retailer. Starting today, you can visit our Johns Creek showroom to see the full current Benrus lineup in person, a brand with over a century of American watchmaking history and one of the most compelling stories in the field watch category today.
If you follow the watch press, Benrus is not a new name. Featured at Watches & Wonders 2026 in Geneva and covered by Hodinkee, Fratello Watches, GQ, InsideHook, and Teddy Baldassarre, this is a brand having a significant moment. We are excited to bring it to our customers locally and nationally.
Key Takeaways
- It’s About Time Inc. is now an authorized Benrus retailer. The full current lineup is available to view and purchase at our Johns Creek, Georgia showroom.
- Benrus was founded in 1921 and holds over a century of American watchmaking history, including the first U.S. military contract for the MIL-W-3818B field watch specification in 1962.
- The current collection spans five models: the DTU-2A/P field watch ($990), the Type 1 Mil Spec dive watch ($1,795), the DTU Shield field watch ($1,595), the #3061 BU field watch ($1,895), and the Sky Chief chronograph ($3,950). All prices in USD.
- Every current Benrus watch is designed, engineered, and built in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland with Swiss ETA movements.
- On-site watch service is available for any Benrus purchased through us.
What You Need to Know
- We carry the full current Benrus lineup. Every model in their active collection is available through our showroom.
- In-person viewing available. Visit us at our Johns Creek, Georgia location to try any Benrus model on your wrist before you buy.
- Questions? We have answers. Our team knows this brand inside and out, from the military heritage behind the DTU-2A/P to the modern engineering in the Type 1 Mil Spec. Reach out anytime.
- Watch service available on-site. If you purchase a Benrus and ever need service down the road, we handle that right here in our shop.
About Benrus
Benrus was founded in 1921 by Benjamin Lazrus and became one of the top three watch brands in the United States by the 1950s. The brand’s defining chapter is military: Benrus was the first manufacturer to fulfill the U.S. Army’s MIL-W-3818B field watch specification in 1962, producing watches issued to soldiers in Vietnam. That provenance is documented and traceable. After a period of dormancy, Benrus has relaunched with all current watches designed, engineered, and manufactured in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland using Swiss ETA movements. For the full story, read our deep dive into the legacy and craftsmanship of Benrus watches.
The Models We Carry
The current Benrus collection covers field watches, a military-spec dive watch, a pilot’s chronograph, and a heritage-inspired everyday piece. Here is a closer look at a few models available in our showroom.
DTU-2A/P Field Watch
The DTU-2A/P is the flagship model and the one generating the most conversation in the watch community right now. It is a direct reissue of the original Vietnam-era military contract watch, built to the same MIL-W-3818B specification that Benrus fulfilled in 1962.
The current production model maintains the historically accurate 34mm case size, a deliberate choice that collectors of authentic military watches consistently praise. The dial is sterile (no logo or branding), staying true to military-issue protocol. Benrus paired the watch with both a brown leather bund strap and a green NATO strap, two formats with direct ties to the original issue configuration.
Featured at Watches & Wonders 2026, praised by Hodinkee, and named by Fratello Watches among the best field watches under $1,000, this is a watch the enthusiast press has taken seriously. For a detailed look at the history, specifications, and what makes this reissue stand out, read our full DTU-2A/P review.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Case | 34mm sandblasted 316L stainless steel, screw-down crown |
| Crystal | Double-domed sapphire with double anti-reflective coating |
| Movement | Swiss ETA 2671 automatic, 25 jewels, 38-hour power reserve |
| Water resistance | 100m (10 ATM) |
| Lume | BGW9 Super-LumiNova on dial markers and hands |
| Straps | Brown leather bund strap + green NATO strap included |
| Price | $990 USD |
Type 1 Mil Spec
The Type 1 Mil Spec is the dive watch in the Benrus lineup, built for buyers who want maximum field credentials in a modern package. The original Type 1 was produced between 1972 and 1980 for U.S. Navy SEALs, EOD teams, Army Rangers, Green Berets, and CIA operatives under the MIL-W-50717 specification. With only approximately 6,000 originals ever produced, the vintage Type 1 is among the rarest military watches in existence.
The modern reissue preserves the sterile dial and bi-directional 12-hour bezel of the original while upgrading the internals to a Swiss ETA 2892 automatic. The fully sandblasted 39.5mm stainless steel case delivers 365 meters of water resistance, exceeding the original specification. Featured in Fratello Watches’ roundup of the best dive watches under $2,000, this is a watch that earns its specification rather than borrowing it.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Case | 39.5mm sandblasted 316L stainless steel, screw-down crown, crown guards |
| Crystal | Double-domed sapphire with double anti-reflective coating |
| Bezel | Bi-directional rotating bezel with aluminum insert and coin-edge grip |
| Movement | Swiss ETA 2892 automatic, 21 jewels, 42-hour power reserve |
| Water resistance | 365m (36.5 ATM) |
| Lume | BGW9 Super-LumiNova on dial markers and hands |
| Strap | Black rubber strap with pin buckle |
| Price | $1,795 USD |
DTU Shield
The DTU Shield is a refined, daily-wear interpretation of the military DTU platform. Where the DTU-2A/P preserves the compact 34mm original, the Shield steps up to 38mm with a light silver dial that reads as more versatile across different settings. Despite the size increase, it stays remarkably thin at 10.70mm thanks to the slim-profile ETA 2892 movement inside.
Launched on Veterans Day 2025 as a tribute to the brand’s military heritage, the DTU Shield carries the Benrus coat of arms engraved on its monobloc caseback. The dial is nearly sterile, with only a small printed brand name. Old Radium Super-LumiNova on the markers and hands gives the watch a warm vintage tone while maintaining strong low-light legibility. Featured by Teddy Baldassarre in a dedicated piece on Vietnam War watches and their modern descendants, the DTU Shield offers a more contemporary take on the field watch category while staying rooted in the brand’s core identity.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Case | 38mm sandblasted 316L stainless steel, screw-down crown |
| Crystal | Double-domed sapphire with double anti-reflective coating |
| Movement | Swiss ETA 2892 automatic, 21 jewels, 42-hour power reserve |
| Water resistance | 100m (10 ATM) |
| Lume | Old Radium Super-LumiNova on dial markers and hands |
| Strap | Khaki fabric strap with leather lining and pin buckle |
| Price | $1,595 USD |
Sky Chief
The Sky Chief is the chronograph in the Benrus lineup and the most recent addition to the collection. Named after the original 1940s pilot’s chronograph that helped establish Benrus among professional aviators, the 2026 reissue is a faithful recreation built to modern Swiss standards.
At 36mm with a slim 11.9mm profile, the Sky Chief is compact by today’s chronograph standards. That is intentional. The original measured 35mm, and Benrus kept the proportions period-appropriate while improving wearability. The tri-compax dial layout (three sub-dials for running seconds, 30-minute counter, and 12-hour counter) is capped by a double-domed box sapphire crystal that creates the distinctive “porthole” effect of the original. Inside is a COSC-certified ETA 2894 automatic, visible through a sapphire exhibition caseback with a custom black Benrus-stamped rotor.
Available in two dial variants: Stratus Grey and Cirrus White. Called out by InsideHook as one of the best watches of early 2026, and covered by Gear Patrol, WatchTime, and Monochrome Watches. For collectors interested in what makes the original Sky Chief significant, read our guide to the vintage Sky Chief’s collector appeal.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Case | 36mm 316L stainless steel |
| Crystal | Double-domed box sapphire with double anti-reflective coating |
| Movement | Swiss ETA 2894 automatic, COSC-certified |
| Functions | Chronograph with tri-compax layout (running seconds, 30-min counter, 12-hr counter) |
| Water resistance | 100m (10 ATM) |
| Caseback | Sapphire exhibition caseback |
| Lume | Super-LumiNova on numerals and hands |
| Strap | Grey leather strap with polished pin buckle |
| Price | $3,950 USD |
#3061 BU
The #3061 BU is the civilian counterpart to the military-issued DTU-2A/P. The original Series #3061 was the dressed-up version of the combat watch, with a polished case and Benrus branding on the dial instead of the sterile military-issue format. It became famous when Steve McQueen wore one throughout the 1968 film Bullitt, cementing it as one of the most recognized field watches in cinema history.
The modern reissue steps up to 39.5mm from the vintage 34mm original, with a vertically brushed mid-case and polished bezel that set it apart visually from the sandblasted DTU models. At just 9.95mm thick, it is the slimmest watch in the collection. The sapphire exhibition caseback lets you see the ETA 2892 movement, another departure from the closed-back military models. For buyers who want the Benrus military DNA in a more refined, everyday package, the #3061 BU is that watch.
Featured by The Manual in their gift guide for watch enthusiasts and reviewed in depth by aBlogtoWatch and Mainspring Watch Magazine.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Case | 39.5mm 316L stainless steel, vertically brushed mid-case, polished bezel and caseback |
| Crystal | Double-domed sapphire with double anti-reflective coating |
| Movement | Swiss ETA 2892 automatic, 21 jewels, 42-hour power reserve |
| Water resistance | 100m (10 ATM) |
| Lume | BGW9 Super-LumiNova on dial markers and hands |
| Caseback | Sapphire exhibition caseback |
| Strap | Black leather strap with pin buckle |
| Price | $1,895 USD |
Quick Comparison: Benrus Collection at a Glance
| Model | Category | Case size | Movement | Water resistance | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DTU-2A/P | Field watch | 34mm | ETA 2671 | 100m | $990 |
| DTU Shield | Field watch | 38mm | ETA 2892 | 100m | $1,595 |
| Type 1 Mil Spec | Dive watch | 39.5mm | ETA 2892 | 365m | $1,795 |
| #3061 BU | Field watch (civilian) | 39.5mm | ETA 2892 | 100m | $1,895 |
| Sky Chief | Chronograph | 36mm | ETA 2894 (COSC) | 100m | $3,950 |
See the Full Benrus Lineup in Person
Visit our Johns Creek showroom to try any Benrus model on your wrist. Our team can walk you through the history, specs, and differences between models. Call 770-442-9854 to ask about a specific model before making the trip.
Why Buy Benrus Through It’s About Time Inc.?
- See every model in person before you commit. No buying blind from a website photo.
- Knowledgeable staff. We can speak to the history, specs, and differences between models.
- On-site watch service. We can handle future servicing right here in our shop, performed by WOSTEP- and Swiss-certified watchmakers.
- Local, family-run business serving the Atlanta metro area from Johns Creek since 2006.
- National reach. Not local to us? Contact us and we will work something out.
Whether you are a longtime watch collector who has been eyeing Benrus, or someone who just discovered the brand through the press coverage and wants to know more, we would enjoy talking watches with you. Stop in anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you carry the full Benrus lineup?
Yes. Every model in the current Benrus collection is available at our Johns Creek showroom, including the DTU-2A/P, Type 1 Mil Spec, DTU Shield, #3061 BU, and Sky Chief. You can view and try on any model in person before purchasing.
Can I buy a Benrus if I don’t live near Johns Creek?
Yes. While our showroom is located at 11300 Medlock Bridge Rd, Suite 300, Johns Creek, GA 30097, we work with customers nationally. Contact us to ask about a specific model or to arrange a purchase.
What happens if my Benrus needs service later?
We handle Benrus service on-site at our shop. Our watchmakers are WOSTEP- and Swiss-certified and work with Swiss ETA movements daily. Your watch stays in-house from intake to completion.
Are Benrus watches actually Swiss made?
Yes. All current Benrus watches are designed, engineered, and manufactured in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. They use Swiss ETA movements and carry the Swiss Made designation on the dial.
Which Benrus model is the best entry point?
The DTU-2A/P at $990 USD is the most accessible model in the lineup. It is also the watch with the deepest historical connection, built to the same MIL-W-3818B military specification that Benrus originally fulfilled in 1962. For buyers who want a larger case and a more polished look, the #3061 BU at $1,895 USD offers a civilian take on the same military DNA.
What makes Benrus different from other field watch brands?
Benrus is one of the few brands that can point to a documented U.S. military contract as the origin of its field watch designs. The DTU-2A/P was the first watch to fulfill the MIL-W-3818B specification in 1962, and the Type 1 was purpose-built for Navy SEALs and special operations forces under MIL-W-50717 in the 1970s. That history is traceable through government records, not brand storytelling.
Can I see the movement on any of these watches?
Two models have sapphire exhibition casebacks: the #3061 BU and the Sky Chief. The DTU-2A/P, Type 1 Mil Spec, and DTU Shield all have solid, closed casebacks consistent with their military-specification heritage.