Benrus Sky Chief pilots chronograph

Benrus Sky Chief Pilot’s Chronograph with restored Black Dial. This Benrus Sky Chief dates to the 1940s or early 1950s. The solid Stainless
Steel Case does not appear to have been polished and still has the original corner angles running down the case lugs.
The watch is fitted with a Benrus branded VZ3 movement, which is in fact a 17 jewel Valjoux 72 chronograph movement. Most everyone will recognize the Valjoux 72 movement as one of the finest every made. The watch was just serviced and is functioning flawlessly.
The dial features a 30 minute register and a 12 hour totalizer for longer duration timing. The Benrus Sky Chief was used by pilots in World War two and during the Korean conflict.
The restored dial features gilt text, aged luminous that gives it an aged vintage look. This restoration appears to have been done a long time ago.
The Benrus Sky Chief is one of the most collectible Benrus watches and it uses the same movement as the iconic Rolex Daytona from the 1960s and 1970s.
The steel case measures 35 mm in diameter excluding the crown and is 43 mm long from lug tip to lug tip. Note the flat pushers found on this model. This design features dates to the watch to 1940s and early 1950s. Popular watch blog, Hodinkee featured the Benrus Sky Chief chronograph and made particular mention of the strong ties to aviation and airlines the world over.
We have sold other Benrus Sky Chief chronographs but they are becoming harder to find. Although the dial is restored on this watch, the fact it has aged over the years gives the watch a desired vintage appearance that most will want when wearing a 60 to 70 year old watch.