Antique Silver Pocket Watch, Sir John Bennett 1884

Antique silver pocket watch, Sir John Bennett, 1884.

The watch has a stem-winding movement which is working nicely. The movement is protected by an inner hinged cover which is engraved, 'Makers to Her Majesty the Queen, Sir John Bennett, 65 Cheapside, London.

John Bennett (1814 – 1897) was one of the most controversial characters in British horology and, in many aspects one of the most advanced. He greatly advocated the Swiss methods of manufacture where parts were interchangeable rather than being made for each individual watch. This put him in conflict with many of his colleagues. It was even said that the establishment of the British Horological Institute was designed to protect decent watchmakers from “new brooms” like Bennett.

As well as manufacturing, there was also a rather grand shop in Cheapside, London.

The watch measures 57mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop so slightly larger than a standard 50mm pocket watch. The case is silver and there are hallmarks inside both of the case backs for London 1884 with a maker's mark for the Coventry watch case maker Robert Pike. The case is in very nice condition, as is the watch glass.

The dial is in lovely condition and has original pin-set blued steel hands, a subsidiary seconds dial and an outer minute track.

The watch will come in a new presentation box.

ALL PRICES INCLUDE UK POSTAGE (because of GPSR legislation, we no longer post items less than 100 years old to Europe, including Northern Ireland).

Please contact us regarding international shipping.

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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