Antique J W Benson Pocket Watch with Chain and Fob

An antique J W Benson open faced pocket watch and chain.

The watch has a Swiss stem-winding movement which is working nicely. The movement is signed J W Benson, 62 & 64 Ludgate Hill, London, By Warrant to Her Majesty the Queen.

J W Benson originated in 1847, founded by James William Benson and Samuel Suckley Benson. They were regarded as one of Victorian London’s most prestigious retail jewellers and they also manufactured their own watch movements. The company flourished and proudly boasted an elite client base made up of both British and European royalty and a selection of well heeled industrialists and business figures including the King of Siam, the King of Portugal, the King of Denmark, the Emperor of Japan, the Tsar of Russia and the King of Greece. J W Benson also supplied watches to Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales.

In 1914, Benson’s Belle Sauvage Yard was hit during a bombing raid. Subsequently, movements were purchased from a number of quality movement producers in Switzerland. From a collector’s point of view, both the British and Swiss made J W Benson movements are desirable and comparable in quality.

The movement in this particular watch is protected by a hinged inner cover.

The watch measures 50mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop. The case is gold plated and was made in England by the Dennison Watch Case Company. The case is in very nice condition and the engine turned detail to the case back is still nice and crisp.

The watch glass is in good condition.

The signed white enamel dial is in beautiful condition. The minute hand is slightly out of shape.

The watch comes on a single chain which measures 29cm long including the T-bar and the clasp. There is also a shorter chain attached which accommodates a swivel.

The watch will be sent in a new presentation box.

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All of our watches are checked over before listing, and are also checked for accuracy which is usually within around +/- two to three minutes over 24 hours (unless otherwise stated), which is considered respectable for a vintage watch.

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With regards to appraisals / valuations, we receive a huge number of information requests each day and unfortunately do not have the manpower to deal with them all individually. Our advice would be to contact a local auctioneer for a full appraisal.