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ID #SA1136889
FOR SALE
£3,950
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Rare Benrus Sky Chief Aviators Chronograph Watch. 1950s.
For sale by Dragoncharger Antiques
for sale €4,622     $5,017
£3,950

Dragoncharger Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2024
Browse dealers 165 items
  • About Us
    Specialising in early japanese cloisonne, edo enamel artisan period.
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Id #SA1136889
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Rare Benrus Sky Chief Aviators Chronograph Watch. 1950s.

1940 - 1960
Description

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 utilizing 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.

Physical Dimensions
Height
38cm (14.96")
Width
38cm (14.96")
Depth
15cm (5.91")
Declaration

Dragoncharger Antiques has dated this Benrus Sky Chief Chronograph to the 1950s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1136889
Dealers Internal Reference
D:06001
Description
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.
Dragoncharger Antiques
fig 1. A vintage 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch featuring a silver dial with three subsidiary dials, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a tan leather strap.
fig 1. Rare Benrus Sky Chief Aviators Chronograph Watch. 1950s.

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.

fig 2. A vintage 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch featuring a silver dial with three subsidiary dials, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a tan leather strap.
fig 2. Rare Benrus Sky Chief Aviators Chronograph Watch. 1950s.

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.

fig 3. A vintage 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch featuring a silver dial with three subsidiary dials, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a tan leather strap.
fig 3. Rare Benrus Sky Chief Aviators Chronograph Watch. 1950s.

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 utilizing 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.

fig 4. A vintage 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch featuring a silver dial with three subsidiary dials, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a tan leather strap.
fig 4. Rare Benrus Sky Chief Aviators Chronograph Watch. 1950s.

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.

Height
38cm (14.96")
Width
38cm (14.96")
Depth
15cm (5.91")
Date of Manufacture

Dragoncharger Antiques has dated this Benrus Sky Chief Chronograph to the 1950s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1136889
Dealers Internal Ref
D:06001
Dragoncharger Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2024

Specialising in early japanese cloisonne, edo enamel artisan period.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Dragoncharger Antiques Profile Page

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A vintage 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch featuring a silver dial with three subsidiary dials, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a tan leather strap.
1 / 9
Archive I A vintage 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch featuring a silver dial with three subsidiary dials, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a tan leather strap.

Rare Benrus Sky Chief Aviators Chronograph Watch. 1950s.

Archive II A vintage 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch featuring a silver dial with three subsidiary dials, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a tan leather strap. View II
Archive III A vintage 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch featuring a silver dial with three subsidiary dials, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a tan leather strap. View III
Archive IV A vintage 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch featuring a silver dial with three subsidiary dials, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a tan leather strap. View IV
Archive V A vintage 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch featuring a silver dial with three subsidiary dials, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a tan leather strap. View V
Archive VI A vintage 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch featuring a silver dial with three subsidiary dials, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a tan leather strap. View VI
Archive VII A vintage 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch featuring a silver dial with three subsidiary dials, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a tan leather strap. View VII
Archive VIII A vintage 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch featuring a silver dial with three subsidiary dials, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a tan leather strap. View VIII
Archive IX A vintage 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch featuring a silver dial with three subsidiary dials, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a tan leather strap. View IX
Enlarged Archival View

Dragoncharger Antiques
Telephone 07974 144321
Location
Bristol
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/dragonchargerantiques
Verified Since Aug 2024
Items For Sale 165
Items Sold 18
Dragoncharger Antiques
Verified Since Aug 2024
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Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/dragonchargerantiques
Verified
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For Sale
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A vintage 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch featuring a silver dial with three subsidiary dials, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a tan leather strap.
Rare Benrus Sky Chief Aviators Chronograph Watch. 1950s.
Ref: SA1136889
A vintage 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch featuring a silver dial with three subsidiary dials, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a tan leather strap.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWristwatch
  • Period1940 - 1960
  • StyleMid-Century Aviation
  • MaterialStainless Steel, Leather, Acrylic
  • ColourSilver, Tan
  • MotifsThree subsidiary dials, coin-edge bezel, Arabic numerals, blued hands
  • SizeH 38 cm (15 in) x W 38 cm (15 in) x D 15 cm (6 in)

This 1950s Benrus Sky Chief aviator chronograph wristwatch is built from stainless steel, acrylic, and a tan leather strap. The timepiece exhibits a round silver dial featuring three subsidiary dials, Arabic numerals, blued hands, a red centre chronograph hand, and a coin-edge rotating bezel. Visible elements include scratch marks on the crystal, three sub-dials with small indicator hands, and a textured winding crown on the right flank. Measuring 38 cm high, 38 cm wide, and 15 cm deep, the piece is designed for personal wear and collection within a gentleman's library or study environment. The mechanical watch operates on a manual winding Swiss Valjoux 71 movement. The dial displays the Benrus and Sky Chief text alongside minute tracks marked around the perimeter. The case incorporates rounded lugs securing the tan leather strap with visible stitching along the upper edges. The design follows a mid-century aviation style, reflecting the heritage of professional pilot instruments utilized by American Export Airlines flight personnel.

FAQs

The Benrus Sky Chief was introduced during the mid-twentieth century as a dedicated aviation chronograph favoured by commercial and military pilots. Designed for flight navigation, it features a multi-register dial layout specifically suited for measuring elapsed operational time.

Mid-century pilot chronographs typically feature durable stainless steel cases, acrylic crystals, and mechanical hand-wound movements. Dials incorporate printed Arabic numerals and steel hands, often paired with calfskin leather straps.

Authentic examples display correct dial typography, including the signature Sky Chief script, alongside Swiss mechanical movements such as Valjoux or Venus calibres. Inspecting movement engravings, case back reference numbers, and hand proportions helps verify original construction.

A vintage aviation chronograph pairs with tailored menswear, casual denim, or leather jackets. Its utilitarian aesthetic allows smooth transition between formal attire and everyday attire.

Mechanical wristwatches require professional servicing every three to five years to clean and lubricate the movement components. Moisture exposure, extreme temperature shifts, and strong magnetic fields should be avoided to preserve mechanical accuracy.
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