Antique J W Benson Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Antique J W Benson half hunter pocket watch.

The watch has a good quality Swiss signed Cyma stem-winding movement which is working nicely.

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.

The movement is protected by an inner hinged cover.

The watch measures 50mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop. The case is the gold plated Star model from the English watch case maker Aaron Dennison. The case is in good condition, just rubbing to the engine turned detail leaving just visible traces.

The winding crown pushes in to open the front cover. Inside, there is an acrylic lens which is in good condition.

The signed dial is in lovely condition and it has the special half hunter hour hand so that the time can be read when the front cover is closed.

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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