Introducing Benrus Type 3X (Live Pics)

With Benrus's revival well underway, 2026 opened with the reintroduction of the Sky Chief, a longtime Hodinkee favourite. Now the brand follows it with something new rather than another reissue: the Type 3X, developed in collaboration with U.S. Special Forces veterans. The watch traces back to the same premise that produced the original Type I and Type II: in the 1970s, the U.S. military wrote a formal MIL-SPEC for a wristwatch, and Benrus built the result. For the Type 3X, Benrus assembled a team of former Tier One special operations veterans to design a modern version of that watch from the ground up, prioritising function over styling. 

The Type 3X comes in two styles: one with a black composite-carbon case and a green mid-case, and another with a silver case and a black mid-case. Both pair a unidirectional rotating titanium dive bezel with an aluminium inner ring, and a single-domed sapphire crystal with a double anti-reflective coating. The black dial carries Old Radium Super-LumiNova on the markers and hands, with a date window aperture at 6 o'clock.

Inside is the ETA 2893 automatic movement, delivering a 42-hour power reserve, 250 gauss of anti-magnetic resistance, and a 24-hour quickset GMT hand offering "caller-style" functionality. Water resistance is rated to 20 ATM (200 metres or 660 feet). The case closes with a titanium caseback featuring the Benrus logo.

The Type 3X comes on a colour-matching Velcro fabric strap with an additional black rubber strap included. It is priced at US$2,950 and available today.

The Type 3X is a great watch, and proof that Benrus's revival has real substance behind it. The brand was a crowd favourite here at Hodinkee for a reason: solid, well-made tool watches at a good price—and it's great to see it get back to that in 2026.

Both colour options are well suited. I slightly prefer the lighter version, but I was surprised at how much I like the green as well. Despite being listed on paper at 42mm, the watch wears much smaller than that thanks to a near absence of lugs, and fits my 6.5" wrist with room to spare. I didn't find the Velcro strap all that appealing, and after spending time with the watch, I found myself gravitating toward the rubber strap, which works well with both colourways. 

Brand: Benrus
Model: Type 3X
Diameter: 42mm
Thickness: 12.50mm
Case Material: Carbon composite and titanium
Dial Colour: Green or black
Indexes: Applied
Lume: Old Radium Super-LumiNova
Water Resistance: 200 metres
Strap/Bracelet: Velcro fabric strap + additional black rubber strap

Calibre: ETA 2893
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, 24-hour quick-set GMT hand
Diameter: 25.6mm
Thickness: 4.10mm
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Winding: Automatic, bi-directional rotor
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4Hz)
Jewels: 21
Additional Details: Hacking seconds, built on the ETA 2892-A2 platform

Price: US$2,950
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: No

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