This Vintage Watch qualifies for our Exchange Program. Once you have received your vintage watch, you may send it back in the same condition within fifteen (15) days for a credit on any other watch we have in our inventory. Go to our FAQ for complete rules and procedures.

 

 

This vintage watch is in very good working condition. Our vintage watches have been serviced by a professional watch expert. Due to the age of this watch, Watch Again Watches does not guarantee that this watch is waterproof or water resistant. We recommend that you do not place any vintage watch in water as it may damage the mechanism and/or bring condensation inside the watch.

 

 

Vintage watches also have to be well taken care of and serviced to maintain its proper functioning. We have done our best to offer you a Vintage watch in excellent condition that will be enjoyed by you for years to come. You are welcome to contact us for more information on any watch we sell.

Benrus is an American watch company, which was founded in New York in 1921 by three brothers who were immigrants: Oskar, Benjamin and Ralph Lazrus. Benrus got its name from the first letters of the brothers' names.

As it is known, the first watches appeared in 1900. They were made in factories which produced jewellery and pocket watches. A new type of watch became very popular all over the World. In the beginning of 1920’s, total production of watches reduced. At this time the Lazrus brothers decided to start up a company which could make watches. Ralph Lazrus – the younger brother became the president, Oskar – the eldest, who was a lawyer was busy with finance, so and Benjamin was responsible for different industrial tasks.

 

Despite the fact that the headquarters of the company was in Manhattan, the main volume of production created by Benrus company was made in Switzerland. La Chaux-de-Fonds Benrus had a factory, where its movements made all. In the end of the 1950’s and the beginning of the 60’s, Benrus opened factories in France and Saint-Thomas in Virginia Isles.
 

World War II appeared to be the time of huge growth for Benrus company which was busy with military watches production as many other watch producers. Moreover, Benrus signed a lot of secret contracts this time. There were agreements for different military tools production, that were need for different purpose. At the same time, the company continued to make watches which contain Swiss made components, created for civilians.

 

After the war, Benrus’ other family members continued to work. They were Jay Kay Lazrus and Julian Lazrus, who were Oskar's sons. Later Julian became the president of Benrus company, Located in Waterberry. Jay Kay became an executive director and vice-president.

 

In the 1940’s Benrus brand expanded their range of their production, adding new elements of design. Benrus designers started to process new original models, charming and beautiful, that had an amazing appearance.

 

The price of Benrus watch was more than affordable. The company produced watches supplied with Swiss and German movements. At this time Benrus released such models as «Embraceable», «Citation», «Dial-o-Rama», which are in collections of most collectors nowadays.

 

Until the beginning of the 1950’s, Benrus outran Hamilton by watch production in order to become the 3rd hugest company in the USA. Bulova and Elgin were the first. However, Hamilton brand was famous for its high-quality watches supplied with manufactured movements. Moreover, Hamilton company imported Swiss made movements and sent it by the name of Illinois.

 

In 1952 US Tariff Commission proposed to blow up the import tariffs of Swiss made movements. This fact was destroying for Benrus brand, which made its models only on Swiss made movements. Starting in 1952, Benrus company was buying Hamilton shares. In 1953, Benrus bought 24% of Hamilton shares. It also should be mentioned that for Benrus it was rather huge deal. It has total voting authority even at president voting. However, Hamilton company put the law on Benrus, stating that it broke laws, trying to control Hamilton totally. In 1953 Hamilton brand won the case. Gradually all Benrus manufactures were closed and in 1960 Ralph Lazrus died.

 

In 1967 Benrus was sold to Victor Kiam who worked on Remington Razors company. Since then, it started to produce military watches. In the middle of 1970’s, Benrus Incorporated was busy with different goods production until in 1977 Benrus was bankrupted.

Benrus brand was sold and became the property of Hapden which belonged to Fantasy Diamonds. Hapden also tried to revive Benrus by the name Hampden/Fantasy, but the idea was short-lived. The idea of Hampden/Fantasy soon faded away. Wonderful gilded stainless steel Benrus watches were designed and made perfectly. They became real pieces of art in any collection of collectors.