A rare Benrus Sky Chief, 3 register Aviator / Pilot’s Watch from 1950''s. Manual winding movement caliber Valjoux 71. Original sharp and crisp dial, as well as the blue steel hands and the bi-directional rotating bezel with red pointer timing indicator.
The Sky Chief was made famous by Air Force pilots who valued the large face of the watch and the overall accuracy and durability of the piece.
In excellent original condition and serviced 2 years ago. Beautiful consistent patina. Chronograph dials and seconds pointer fully reset to zero.
Maker: Benrus
Model: Sky Chief
Reference: N/A
Year: 1950s
Material: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 38mm diameter; 15mm thickness
Crystal: Plexiglass
Lume: None
Caliber: Swiss Movement Valjoux, manually-wound, caliber 71 with ''AXZ'' import stamp.
Model: GH 4
Bracelet/Strap/Lug Width: 19/20mm
*Benrus was founded in 1921 in New York City and grew its reputation on the production of high-quality, affordable watches ut
...ilizing Swiss movements. The company is perhaps best known today for the tool watches it produced in the 1960s and ''70s, with its most popular vintage example being the military-issued Type I and Type II. Before the brand''s work for the U.S. military, Benrus made a chronograph for pilots – the Sky Chief.
Advertised in the period as ''the official watch of famous airlines,'' Benrus created the Sky Chief as a professional tool watch to be used by pilots and citizens alike. Utilizing one of the best available ébauche movements at the time, the Valjoux 71, the Sky Chief became the official chronograph of American Export Airlines (AEA). AEA was famous for their transatlantic ''Flying Aces'' Vought-Sikorsky VS-44s, or as Benrus called them, ''the luxurious flying boats to Europe,'' on which all personnel wore Sky Chiefs. Eventually, AEA was purchased by American Airlines to enter the transatlantic flight market.
Internal Reference: D:06001
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1136889
Dateline of this antique is 1950
Height is 38cm (15.0inches)Width is 38cm (15.0inches)Depth is 15cm (5.9inches)
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