Gents 9ct Gold Wrist Watch, J W Benson, 1933

Gents 9ct gold wrist watch, J W Benson, 1933.

The watch has a good quality 15-jewel hand-winding movement which is working nicely.

The watch is a good size at 32.5mm diameter excluding the winding crown and the fixed lugs. The case is 9 carat gold and there are hallmarks inside the hinged case back for London 1933 with the maker's mark for J W Benson Ltd. Overall the case is in good condition, just a handful of small "dings" to the back. The crown is a later replacement.

The lens is in lovely condition.

The white enamel dial is signed Benson, London. There is a faint hairline crack running between the centre and 1pm but it is difficult to see with the naked eye. Originally there would have been painted detail to the numbers and hands but this has been removed over the years.

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.

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.

A new leather strap has been fitted.

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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