Bidspirit auction | Benrus 10K Rolled Gold Plate

Benrus 10K Rolled Gold Plate Swiss Manual Wind Men's Shriners Watch - A vintage Benrus men's wristwatch featuring fraternal symbolism. The rectangular watch head features a 10K rolled gold plate bezel with a stainless steel back. The aged silver-white dial is printed with the name BENRUS and SWISS. The dial displays applied gold-tone Arabic numerals and a rectangular sub-seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The manual wind movement is visible upon removal of the case back and is engraved SEVENTEEN 17 JEWELS, BENRUS WATCH CO INC, SWISS, and UNADJUSTED. The movement is further marked with the caliber MODEL BA 2 and the export code AXZ. The interior of the case back is stamped with a central BENRUS banner logo and the text CASED AND TIMED IN U.S.A. BY THE BENRUS WATCH CO. The exterior of the case back is stamped 10 K. ROLLED GOLD PLATE BEZEL, STAINLESS STEEL BACK, and the serial number 862138. The watch is fitted with an expandable Speidel metal bracelet. The bracelet end links feature triangular decorative motifs; the lower link contains an enameled emblem depicting a scimitar, a crescent moon with a face, and a red five-pointed star, identifying it as a Shriners fraternal piece. The underside of the bracelet is stamped SPEIDEL and PAT. PEND. Per user-provided facts, this watch runs. The watch head measures approximately 1 3/8 inches from lug to lug. The watch is in used vintage condition. The case shows significant wear to the gold plating on the lugs and edges (photo 1). The stainless steel case back exhibits heavy surface scratching (photo 8). The crystal is heavily clouded and scratched throughout (photo 7). The dial shows significant oxidation, spotting, and general patina across the surface (photo 2). The enameled fraternal emblem shows loss to the white enamel on the crescent moon (photo 3). The top decorative end link is missing a central component, leaving a square hole in the metal (photo 4). The bracelet links show accumulated dirt and surface wear (photo 6). The movement shows visible oxidation and surface grime (photo 11).