Gents 1931 Silver Wrist Watch from J W Benson

The watch has a Cyma movement, calibre 234, which is working nicely.

The watch measures 35mm diameter excluding the onion winding crown and the fixed wire lugs. The case is silver and there are hallmarks inside the screw-on case back for Glasgow (import mark), 1931, with a case maker's mark for J W Benson.

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. JW Benson also supplied watches to Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales.

As with many watch manufacturers, J W Benson embraced the newly introduced wristwatch during the first World War. Up until this point, the company was still manufacturing its own movements in the UK but after its factory at Belle Sauvage Yard was hit during a bombing raid in 1914, it purchased mechanisms from a number of quality movement producers in Switzerland, including Cyma. From a collector’s point of view, both the British and Swiss made J W Benson movements are desirable and comparable in quality.

The case is in good condition.

The watch glass has a small chip on the bevelled edge but otherwise is in good condition.

The white enamel dial has some damage at number 11, and a little on the edge underneath number 6 but mostly covered by the screw-on bezel.

A new leather strap has been fitted.

The watch comes in a vintage presentation box, it is tatty inside but still nice to have.

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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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