Benrus Independence 'Declaration of Independence' Limited Edition (Ref. Independence-DOI)
Dress Watch / Commemorative Tool Watch · Benrus (Benrus Watch Co.). Originally a premier American brand, it is currently in a revival phase focusing on its military and heritage roots. It occupies the 'Affordable Luxury' or 'Premium' tier.
Period: Neo-Vintage / American Heritage. The design pulls heavily from the 1960s Benrus 'Electronic' and 'Star Chief' models while incorporating modern printing technology to replicate the text of the U.S. Declaration of Independence on the dial.
Type
Dress Watch / Commemorative Tool Watch
Brand
Benrus (Benrus Watch Co.). Originally a premier American brand, it is currently in a revival phase focusing on its military and heritage roots. It occupies the 'Affordable Luxury' or 'Premium' tier.
Movement
Swiss Automatic, Soprod P024 (based on the ETA 2824-2 architecture), 28,800 vph, approx. 38-hour power reserve, 25 jewels.
Dimensions
Case diameter: 38mm; Thickness: 12.5mm; Lug-to-lug: 45mm; Lug width: 20mm. It wears like a classic mid-sized dress watch.
Description
The Benrus Independence is a patriotic tribute to the birth of the United States. Its most striking feature is the parchment-colored dial, which uses micro-printing to legibly display the text of the Declaration of Independence. The watch balances dressy aesthetics with the brand's historic reputation for producing reliable instruments for the U.S. Military, resulting in a unique 'Heritage' piece that appeals to history buffs and watch enthusiasts alike.
Key Features
Micro-printed script dial of the Declaration of Independence, signature Benrus three-star logo, applied star indices, and a period-correct 38mm case size with an oversized crown.
Dial Description
Champagne-parchment textured dial featuring the script of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. It features applied silver-tone faceted star markers at distal positions, arrowhead indices at 3 and 9, and the signature three-star Benrus logo. The hands are polished dauphine style.
Case Material
316L Stainless Steel with a satin-brushed finish on the lugs and polished finish on the bezel ring for a refined contrast.
Crystal Type
Double-domed Sapphire Crystal with anti-reflective coating on the underside, providing high durability while mimicking the look of vintage acrylic.
Bezel Details
Fixed, slim, polished stainless steel bezel designed to maximize the visible dial surface area.
Crown & Pushers
Push-pull, oversized 'onion' or fluted style crown for easy grip, featuring the Benrus icon logo. There are no pushers.
Bracelet or Strap
Supple brown Horween leather strap with matching stitching and a stainless steel pin buckle featuring the Benrus logo.
Caseback Details
Snap-on solid stainless steel caseback. It features a custom engraving of the Liberty Bell or the United States Seal, along with the limited edition numbering (e.g., 'One of 1776').
Movement Type
Swiss Automatic, Soprod P024 (based on the ETA 2824-2 architecture), 28,800 vph, approx. 38-hour power reserve, 25 jewels.
Water Resistance
50 Meters (5 ATM). Suitable for daily wear and light rain, but not intended for swimming or diving.
Origin & Provenance
USA-based brand (headquartered in New York/Pennsylvania) with Swiss-made movements. The assembly and design are managed by Benrus LLC.
Age Estimate
Modern production, released circa 2021-2022 as part of the brand's relaunch and heritage collection.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'New Americana' movement in horology, where historic American brands are revived to tell national stories through Swiss mechanical movements. It celebrates American political history and horological heritage simultaneously.
Condition Notes
Likely Excellent to Mint. As a modern limited edition piece, these are usually found in collectors' hands with minimal visible wear. Sapphire crystal and brushed surfaces are highly resistant to light scratches.
Value Estimate
MSRP was approximately $1,195. Secondary market value typically ranges between $700 and $950 depending on the limited edition number and condition.
Care & Maintenance
Standard service every 5-7 years for the Soprod movement. Avoid water exposure beyond light splashes as leather straps degrade with moisture. Store in a dry, cool place to prevent dial discoloration over decades.
Similar Watches
Hamilton American Classic Spirit of Liberty (features laser-engraved leather script), Baltic HMS 002 (similar vintage aesthetic), Longines Heritage Classic.
Interesting Facts
Benrus was famously the brand worn by Bullitt star Steve McQueen (a different model, the DTU-2A/P) and provided thousands of watches to the U.S. military during WWII and the Vietnam War. This specific model is limited to 1,776 pieces to commemorate the year 1776.