Gents 1940s Smiths Wrist Watch for J W Benson

Gents 1940s Smiths wrist watch for J W Benson.

The watch has the early hand-winding Smiths movement with the nickel finish, later movements have a gilt finish. The movement is working nicely. There appears to be an empty screw hole within the movement but it is in fact just the screw head missing, everything is secure and safe.

Smiths produced various watches as private label pieces, to be sold under the J W Benson name.

The watch measures 31mm diameter excluding the winding crown and the shapely horn lugs, it would suit a slimmer wrist. The case is a typical combination often seen in watches made after the second World War, chrome plated bezel, alloy centre and a steel case back. The case is in good condition with just some slight unevenness to the case back.

The lens is in lovely condition.

The dial is signed with the name of the original retailer, J W Benson, London. There is a little marking as shown in the photos.

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.

A new leather strap has been fitted.

The watch comes 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).

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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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