For sale we have a beautiful 1950s dress watch from American brand Benrus. A watch very clearly styled in the mid-century era, it ozees mid-century modern class with a clean yellow gold case, with excellent horn lug design and silver satin dial with applied arrow and Arabic hour markers. Although the case is petite at 29mm x 29.5mm, the watch has considerable presence on the wrist with its horn lug design which increases the case length to 37.5mm tip to tip. Inside is an ETA based Benrus calibre 1281 which is of excellent quality and has been serviced. The dial is original with a silver satin base tone. It is of a dished design with a flat face to the centre, which falls away. It does shows its age as there is wear to the lacquered finish around the exterior of the dial. It has gold tone applied hour markers with Arabic 9, 12, 3, 6. It has the Benrus logo signed with tri-coloured block, a nod to the founder’s Romanian heritage. It has a neat inset sub second dial with crosshair. The Lance Alpha style hands are neat in a gold tone and balance the case tone, with the hour markers. The case is formed of 14k yellow gold and is beautifully designed with prominent horn lugs. To the right is a neat coin edge crown and to the rear is the neat 14k yellow gold snap on case back. The watch is presented on black genuine leather strap in good condition. Inside is a Benrus DN 411 (ETA 1281) with 21 jewels. It is a high-quality manual wind movement with a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a power reserve of 55 hours. The movement was serviced by ourselves a year ago. It’s keeping time to +33 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 240 degrees. The case strictly measured is small, but the lugs add significant presence and length to the case. This was originally a gents watch, but modern tastes favour larger watches. If you are a gent that is used to smaller watches this will be suitable, or it will be equally at home on a ladies wrist. Benrus watch company history. Benrus was founded in New York by Benjamin Lazrus and his two brothers. It took its name from the first syllable of his name and the last syllable of the family name. They set up HQ at the iconic Hippodrome building in the jewellery district in the heart of the city. Benrus were a brand who knew how to market watches, making use of promotion with big names, such as Charles Lindbergh. They also had aviation connections right from the early days of commercial air travel, with the Airman watch which was released in 1929. This was dubbed the official watch of National Air Transport, which later became United Airlines. They followed this up with the creation of watches such as the Sky Chief which was created solely for pilot useage. It proved so popular with airlines, the brand used the slogan “Official Watch of Famous airlines”. They also created the Sportman watch line, which was worn and promoted by one of the greatest baseball players, Babe Ruth. Benrus provided military issue watches for the U. For Vietnam, whilst also designing deep diving and super compressor watches. The Democratic National Convention also gifted President John F Kennedy a custom made Benrus watch, whilst in 1968 Steve McQueen wore his own Benrus in the iconic movie’Bullitt’. A highly esteemed company, with a rich history, but one of the many brands who fell to the sword of the Quartz crisis. They exist today under new ownership offering Reissues of their iconic watches. Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below. There is wear to the lacquered finish around the exterior of the dial around 12 O’clock and 3 O’clock to 6 o’clock. It has the Benrus logo signed, with inset sub second dial with crosshair. The hands are original of Lance Alpha style, in a gold tone. They are in good condition with no bending or corrosion. The sub-second hand is also original. The acrylic crystal is a replacement which is in very good condition with no marking. The gold plated crown is a well matched replacement in good condition. The case is formed of 14k yellow gold and is in very good condition with light surface scratching. It has a polished finish with a good shine. The case back holds the movement and is formed of 14ct gold. It is in good condition with a polished finish and light surface scratching associated with ageing. It engraved signing is clear. The watch comes on black genuine leather strap in good condition. The movement is a Benrus DN 411 (ETA 1281) with 21 jewels. It is a high quality manual wind movement with a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a power reserve of 55 hours. It’s keeping time to +33 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 240 degrees and a beat error of 3.3m/s. Case width with crown: 30.5mm. Case length: 29.5mm. Case length lug to lug: 37.5mm. Case Depth: 8.5mm. This item is in the category “Jewellery & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Watches\Wristwatches”. The seller is “boldtimepieces” and is located in this country: GB. This item can be shipped worldwide.
Strap Material: Leather
Closure: Buckle
Max Wrist Size: 19.1-20 cm
Strap Colour: Black
Number of Jewels: 21 Jewels
Indices: Arabic Numerals, Arrow Markers
Dial Colour: Silver
Year Manufactured: 1950-1959
Band/Strap: Two-Piece Strap
Vintage: Yes
Case Thickness: 8.5mm
Handedness: Right
Department: Men, Unisex Adults
Case Colour: Gold
Caseback: Snap
Lug Width: 17 mm
Escapement Type: Lever
Watch Shape: Round
Style: Dress/Formal
Features: 12-Hour Dial, Acrylic Crystal, Push/Pull Crown, Seconds Hand, Shock-Resistant, Small Second, Swiss Made, Swiss Movement
This is a neatly designed watch from an under-appreciated brand. More collectors are becoming aware of the impressive design and good quality that Wittnauer offered, particularly during the 1950s. This particular watch is relatively uncommon, with only a couple of examples coming up for sale and being well received. The 32mm case is is smaller, but mighty with the bezel being the standout feature of the case, with its notched sections, in line with the hour markers. The lugs are also very nicely designed in a horned or dog legged style. The dial has a cream powder base tone and applied Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9. These are accompanied by circular Radium lume plots which have aged to the dark pumpkin tone. This adds a great balance to the dial. The other hour markers are applied arrow markers. These have a lume in-fill to the base. They are a champagne tone along with the Arabic markers. The movement is a good quality and well-designed Wittnauer Calibre 11ESB which is a modified ETA 1080. The case is Stainless Steel and is in good condition with a polished finish. It is a two-piece case, with the main body consisting of the bezel, sides and lugs. The case back is a screw back. The bezel is the standout feature of the case, with its notched sections, in line with the hour markers. The lugs are very nicely designed in a horned or dog legged style. The case sides are flat and polished. With a couple of neat design elements, this compact case becomes the main talking point of this watch. The case back is stainless steel. It is in very good condition, with no dents and only light surface scratching. It has an excellent circular grained finish. It is signed Stainless Steel. The inside of the caseback is signed Wittnauer, New York, Geneva Montreal, Star W. It has the serial number 2528212. The dial is in very good original condition. It has a cream powder base tone which is in good condition with an even tone. The base tone has been burned slightly by the Radium on the hands, with the hands having been in one position for some time. The hour markers are the standout features of the dial, with some subtle and beautiful aspects. The dial has applied Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9. They have some signs of corrosion as expected with age. The minute/second track sits around the edge of the dial and has simple dashes. The dial is signed Wittnauer below 12 O’clock, with Swiss below 6 O’clock. The hands are original and are made of Stainless Steel. They have a polished finish which has some signs of corrosion. They are of a luminous Dauphine style, with the original Radium lume in-fill to the centre. The lume has aged to a beautiful dark Pumpkin tone with age. The central second hand is original and has a thermally blued finish, which catches the light nicely, changing tone depending on the light. The crown is original and has a neat coin edge finish. It has some light surface scratches but is in good condition. The strap is a modern replacement. The Acrylic crystal is a recent replacement and is in very good condition. The movement is manual wind with 17 jewels, shock protection, a power reserve of 45 hours and a frequency of 18,000 BPH. The movement is in good condition both cosmetically and in terms of function. Service history is unknown, but the time keeping, and other figures are very good. The movement would appear to have been recently serviced. It has a daily gain of +15 seconds. Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below. It is an 18mm lug width watch Geckota brown suede strap with quick release spring bars. It will fit from a up to a 8.5 inch wrist diameter. The movement is a Wittnauer Calibre 11ESB which is a modified ETA 1080. It has a daily gain of +10 seconds, with an amplitude of 235 degrees and a beat error of 1.8m/s. Case width with crown: 34mm. Case length lug to lug: 38mm. This item is in the category “Jewellery & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Watches\Wristwatches”. The seller is “boldtimepieces” and is located in this country: GB. This item can be shipped worldwide.
Strap Material: Leather
Closure: Buckle
Max Wrist Size: 19.1-20 cm
Strap Colour: Brown
Number of Jewels: 17 Jewels
Indices: Arrow Markers
Dial Colour: White
Year Manufactured: 1950-1959
Customised: No
Strap Width: 10 mm
Band/Strap: Two-Piece Strap
Vintage: Yes
Handedness: Right
Department: Men, Women, Unisex Adults
Case Colour: Silver
Caseback: Screwback
Bezel Type: Fluted
Lug Width: 18 mm
Escapement Type: Lever
Watch Shape: Round
Style: Dress/Formal
Features: 12-Hour Dial, Acrylic Crystal, Central Second, Luminous Hands, Luminous Indexes, Push/Pull Crown, Swiss Made, Swiss Movement
This is a neatly designed watch from an under-appreciated brand. More collectors are becoming aware of the impressive design and good quality that Wittnauer offered, particularly during the 1950s. This particular watch is relatively uncommon, with only a couple of examples coming up for sale and being well received. The 32mm case is is smaller, but mighty with the bezel being the standout feature of the case, with its notched sections, in line with the hour markers. The lugs are also very nicely designed in a horned or dog legged style. The dial has a cream powder base tone and applied Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9. These are accompanied by circular Radium lume plots which have aged to the dark pumpkin tone. This adds a great balance to the dial. The other hour markers are applied arrow markers. These have a lume in-fill to the base. They are a champagne tone along with the Arabic markers. The movement is a good quality and well-designed Wittnauer Calibre 11ESB which is a modified ETA 1080. The case is Stainless Steel and is in good condition with a polished finish. It is a two-piece case, with the main body consisting of the bezel, sides and lugs. The case back is a screw back. The bezel is the standout feature of the case, with its notched sections, in line with the hour markers. The lugs are very nicely designed in a horned or dog legged style. The case sides are flat and polished. With a couple of neat design elements, this compact case becomes the main talking point of this watch. The case back is stainless steel. It is in very good condition, with no dents and only light surface scratching. It has an excellent circular grained finish. It is signed Stainless Steel. The inside of the caseback is signed Wittnauer, New York, Geneva Montreal, Star W. It has the serial number 2528212. The dial is in very good original condition. It has a cream powder base tone which is in good condition with an even tone. The base tone has been burned slightly by the Radium on the hands, with the hands having been in one position for some time. The hour markers are the standout features of the dial, with some subtle and beautiful aspects. The dial has applied Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9. They have some signs of corrosion as expected with age. The minute/second track sits around the edge of the dial and has simple dashes. The dial is signed Wittnauer below 12 O’clock, with Swiss below 6 O’clock. The hands are original and are made of Stainless Steel. They have a polished finish which has some signs of corrosion. They are of a luminous Dauphine style, with the original Radium lume in-fill to the centre. The lume has aged to a beautiful dark Pumpkin tone with age. The central second hand is original and has a thermally blued finish, which catches the light nicely, changing tone depending on the light. The crown is original and has a neat coin edge finish. It has some light surface scratches but is in good condition. The strap is a modern replacement. The Acrylic crystal is a recent replacement and is in very good condition. The movement is manual wind with 17 jewels, shock protection, a power reserve of 45 hours and a frequency of 18,000 BPH. The movement is in good condition both cosmetically and in terms of function. Service history is unknown, but the time keeping, and other figures are very good. The movement would appear to have been recently serviced. It has a daily gain of +15 seconds. Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below. It is an 18mm lug width watch Geckota brown suede strap with quick release spring bars. It will fit from a up to a 8.5 inch wrist diameter. The movement is a Wittnauer Calibre 11ESB which is a modified ETA 1080. It has a daily gain of +10 seconds, with an amplitude of 235 degrees and a beat error of 1.8m/s. Case width with crown: 34mm. Case length lug to lug: 38mm. This item is in the category “Jewellery & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Watches\Wristwatches”. The seller is “boldtimepieces” and is located in this country: GB. This item can be shipped worldwide.
Strap Material: Leather
Closure: Buckle
Max Wrist Size: 19.1-20 cm
Strap Colour: Brown
Number of Jewels: 17 Jewels
Indices: Arrow Markers
Dial Colour: White
Year Manufactured: 1950-1959
Customised: No
Strap Width: 10 mm
Band/Strap: Two-Piece Strap
Vintage: Yes
Handedness: Right
Department: Men, Women, Unisex Adults
Case Colour: Silver
Caseback: Screwback
Bezel Type: Fluted
Lug Width: 18 mm
Escapement Type: Lever
Watch Shape: Round
Style: Dress/Formal
Features: 12-Hour Dial, Acrylic Crystal, Central Second, Luminous Hands, Luminous Indexes, Push/Pull Crown, Swiss Made, Swiss Movement
Yemenite Traditional Islamic Dagger. Handle made of Rhino tooth and dagger case made with leather and decorated with silver. Length: 13.5 in; Width 5.5 in; Blade: roughly 8 in. The item “1950’s Yemenite Silver Dagger Jambya with Rhino Horn” is in sale since Wednesday, October 20, 2021. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Knives, Swords & Blades\Swords & Sabers\Middle Eastern”. The seller is “salomon” and is located in Westmount, Quebec. This item can be shipped worldwide.