'Hurr Durr do your research' Also known as Scooby gives up
I hate those 'is it real?' posts. And yet here I am. It's no secret that one of my grails is an actually worn Vietnam war era Mil spec watch. Problem is, they were all worn by Americans and Aussies. In America and Oz. And I'm too stingy to pay imports. So whenever one shows up here across the pond I get a bit excited. Here I present this, and hopefully more experienced enthusiasts (or ones who actually own an example) can either confirm my suspicions or call me a muppet and how I need to 'do my research'.
BTW, if at any point I get anything wrong, please correct me.
There are a few red flags. 1) From the markings on it, it has to have been made between 1964 and 1968 (Benrus had the contract then, and the Mil spec isn't marked with a revision letter). Doesn't the watch look remarkably clean with little patina on the lume for saying it's 59 years old? Dial looks correct for the period, it wouldn't be marked H3 at 9 o clock until 1974. Handset is out and out wrong, but I'm not bothered by that as the US Army at the time were known to just stick any old handset on when repairing, because they just wanted to get the watch back into service ASAP. Case back though is interesting. In every resource I've looked at (except one, and event then it's a Hamilton from 1982) US Army watches were pop backs. No point asking the seller as he knows nothing about it (said in the description mid 80s when 20 seconds of Google would tell you Benrus didn't have the contract then. So what do we think then now I've laid all my grievances. Legit, fake, recased? Worth a punt for fifty quid?
Far have I travelled and much have I seen Goodison, Anfield are places I've been Maine Road, Old Trafford still echo to the sound Of the boys in red from the City Ground
I think it's fake I'm afraid. Here's what a genuine Benrus DTU2-A/P looks like from 1967.
They have a mono block design as well with no caseback
After deep thought, and reading all the way to the end of your post, I have concluded that you know better than I do and that you think that it was recased, and therefore fake in some way. Whether or not it is worth a go, I can't answer.
I think it's fake I'm afraid. Here's what a genuine Benrus DTU2-A/P looks like from 1967.
They have a mono block design as well with no caseback
Thought so, thanks for confirming my suspicions. Interesting about the mono block design I wasn't aware of that, though it shouldn't be too much of a surprise as the British Army were doing the same thing around that time. That is a gorgeous example I couldn't possibly tempt you to sell or trade at all could I? 😏
That one has been on the ‘bay for a while… I steered clear.
Thought so, thanks for confirming my suspicions. Interesting about the mono block design I wasn't aware of that, though it shouldn't be too much of a surprise as the British Army were doing the same thing around that time. That is a gorgeous example I couldn't possibly tempt you to sell or trade at all could I? 😏
Thanks for the offer, I'm not really looking to sell to be honest, unless I was made a really good offer ;-)
If you want to learn more about these the below video is quite helpful & features my actual watch which I bought from the watchmaker Spencer Klein
https://youtu.be/tyyTTGCUswU