Identification
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Overview
A classic mid-century mechanical wristwatch featuring a 'pointer date' complication and a day-of-the-week aperture. This model is housed in a stainless steel case with distinctive 'stepped' lugs and a sub-seconds register at the six o'clock position.
Story
Post-WWII Benrus pointer date watches offered complex horology to the rising American professional class. Emerging in the late 1940s, these analog data tools predated digital screens, representing peak mid-century mechanical ingenuity.
Maker / Origin
Founded in New York in 1921, Benrus combined reliable Swiss imported movements with American-designed cases. Benrus Watch Company, New York/Switzerland; Benrus Watch Company, New York/Switzerland
Condition & Value
The delicate calendar jumper springs are notoriously fragile; functional, original dials command strong premiums over non-running project pieces. The dial has developed a warm, even 'champagne' patina that collectors find very desirable as it proves the watch is original and hasn't been repainted.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Valuation for this model is strictly bifurcated by mechanical health and originality. Accepted comparable sales indicate that running, watch-only examples with honest aging routinely sell between $200 and $300 on peer-to-peer and auction platforms. Fully serviced pieces with restored dials from specialist dealers establish a strict ceiling around $450 to $500, but these retail prices are not reflective of raw auction hammer values. Conversely, non-running project pieces plummet to the $75 to $100 range due to the scarcity of replacement calendar jumper springs for the vintage CE-13 movement. Given the unknown mechanical service history of the subject watch, the estimate spans from a strong unserviced tier to a healthy running mid-market valuation.
▲ Functioning pointer-date complication with a clean midnight snap-over
▲ Original dial with authentic, unrestored vintage patina
▲ Intact case bezel with sharp, unpolished lug geometry
▲ Swiss-made Caliber CE-13 or CE-3 manual-wind movement
▼ Fragility of the CE-13 calendar jumper springs; broken springs severely impact value
▼ Small vintage case size (~30-32mm) limits modern wearability appeal
▼ Aftermarket black band indicates a strictly watch-only valuation lane
▼ Unknown service history and functional timing status
Best Venue
eBay or dedicated enthusiast forums (e.g., Reddit r/Watchexchange) for maximum reach to vintage horology collectors.
Upside Potential
Verification of a fully serviced movement, keeping accurate time, with flawlessly functioning date pushers and an unpolished case.
Authenticity Notice
Low risk of total counterfeits, but medium risk of 'frankenwatches' assembled from mismatched donor parts or featuring poorly repainted 'service' dials. Collectors should verify the Caliber CE-13 movement matches the dial configuration.