‘The English Lever Watch’ for J W Benson, 1898

Antique silver ‘The English Lever Watch’ for J W Benson, 1898.

The watch has a key-wound movement which is working nicely. The movement is signed with the name The English Lever Watch, and it also has the name and address of the original retailer, J W Benson. The movement is protected by an inner hinged cover which has surface marks, probably from over zealous polishing.

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.

The watch measures 50mm diameter excluding the stem and the loop. The case is silver and there are hallmarks inside both of the case backs for London 1898, together with the J W Benson mark. The case is in lovely condition with just general light surface marks.

The watch glass has light marks, all very acceptable.

The signed dial has a couple of hairline cracks but they are faint. Blued steel hands, probably later replacements, a subsidiary seconds dial and an outer minute track.

The watch comes 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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