From the sublime to the ridiculous

[KennethRSloan]

Recall this recent acquisition: a 1947 "Doctor's Watch" Benrus with a nice copper dial. Alas, it runs quite fast (5-10 minutes per hour). Nothing a COA and demag can't cure.



Recall the Duo thread. This acquisition created a singleton - clearly, this deficiency must be repaired!

On today's flight to PVD, I somehow tore apart the hardware at the belt-loop end of my usual gold chain. This threatened to put a damper on my plan to wear my graduation present 4C 992B Hamilton pocketwatch. But, I had plenty of time before my first event for the day, so I went looking for a full service jeweler with an ER.

I was in luck! They had (more-or-less) an exact replacement for the torn up part. Mission accomplished. While I was waiting for the repair to happen, I noticed a rather extensive display of Benrus watches - and then I remembered that the re-booted brand had a Providence, RI connection of some sort. Wheels started turning.

Now...the current Benrus shares only the name with the 1947 Benrus. Cheap Japanese Quartz movements in various styles (chronograph, trench, etc.) sold with a heavy dose of military-like paraphernalia (referring to their WWII military contract). The good news is that the price matches the level of ambition.

So, I decided to upgrade my singleton Benrus to a duo, and also acquire a memento of this particular trip. Surely, an event which calls for a ritual unboxing:

[Nokie]

Very cool. That Benrus is just awesome.

[Henry Krinkle]

The first one is very nice. The second one? Well, it has a pointy jet thingy on one end of the seconds hand with fletching at the other end. So, I guess there's that.

[KennethRSloan]

The first one is very nice. The second one? Well, it has a pointy jet thingy on one end of the seconds hand with fletching at the other end. So, I guess there's that.

But...but...the first one is tiny and runs fast, while the second one is big and manly, and keeps accurate time.

Of course, I agree - the 1947 Benrus is a classic work of art. The 2015 re-boot is...not. But, for my purposes, it does serve to provide contrast (oh, how the mighty have fallen) and the PVD connection makes it at least a tolerable souvenir and talking point.

One is Kodachrome 25 - the other is Instagram. The perfect "duo"!

[KennethRSloan]

Very cool. That Benrus is just awesome.

Um...which one?