Unusual Antique J W Benson Pocket Watch

Unusual antique J W Benson pocket watch.

The watch has a Swiss 15-jewel stem-winding movement which is working nicely. The movement is believed to be by Cyma.

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. From a collector’s point of view, both the British and Swiss made J W Benson movements are desirable and comparable in quality.

The watch measures 47mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop. The case is stainless steel and it is in lovely condition.

The acrylic lens is in lovely condition.

The dial is signed with the J W Benson, London name. Unusually both the hands and the numbers have a blued steel finish, we have never seen this combination before and it is very handsome.

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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