Gents 1934 Silver Wrist Watch, J W Benson

Gents 1934 silver wrist watch, 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. 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 such as the one we have in this particular watch, a Swiss 15-jewel hand-winding movement which is working nicely.

The watch measures 33.5mm diameter excluding the later winding crown and the fixed wire lugs. The case is silver and there are hallmarks inside the case back for Glasgow (import mark) 1934 with a sponsor’s maker for J W Benson. The case is in good condition for such an early piece, it has a few little marks and a little unevenness to the back. The back of the watch is engraved, ‘E to H, Sept 1935’.

The lens is in lovely condition.

The signed dial is in good condition.

A new leather strap has been fitted.

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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