Sterling silver, key wound fob watch with ornate case, retailed by the quality London based watchmaker, "J. W. Benson" (watchmaker to Queen Victoria). Dating from 1887.
Solid sterling silver case with snap-on bezel, hinged back and inner dust cover. Entire surface of case beautifully hand engraved with a very attractive floral design. Sprung loaded back opened by depressing button on pendant to reveal keyholes in dust cover. Inside back stamped with a full English, sterling silver hallmark corresponding to the year 1887. Also stamped with the initials, "J.W.B." (J. W. Benson). Dust cover has two key holes, one for winding, one for setting the hands. Dust cover engraved with Queen Victoria's crown and signed, "Watch Maker by Warrant to the Queen - Examined by J. W. Benson, 62 & 64 Ludgate Hill, London & Geneva". Fitted with an acrylic U.B. crystal. Case diameter (not including pendant) : 39.5mm. Case condition : 80%.
White enamel dial with black hand painted Roman numerals. Dial signed, "J. W. Benson". Blue steel hands. Dial condition : 100%.
Gilt, 10 jewel, Swiss made movement with cylinder escapement. Key wound and set. Movement condition (appearance) : 80%. Recently serviced. Time keeping : good.
Comes with period watch key.
J.W. Benson was a
highly regarded London based watch & clock making company which traded between
1849 and 1973. During the 19th century it was
watchmaker to the Admiralty and also held a number of royal warrants including
Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales. The company was founded by James William Benson
(born in 1826 in Reading) and his older brother (or cousin?) Samuel Stuckley
Benson (born 1822). They
traded as S.S. & J.W. Benson
until 1855.
From this time on James William continued the business under his own name, J.W. Benson. In
1878 James William Benson died aged 52, and his sons Alfred and Arthur continued
the business. The company's premises
were: Cornhill (1849-64), Ludgate Hill (1854-1937), 25 Old Bond Street (1872-3)
and 28 Royal Exchange (1892-1937). Their original workshop was at 4-5 Horseshoe
Court (at the rear of their Ludgate Hill premises) and in 1892 they became a
limited company and moved to
their new 'steam' factory at 38 Belle Sauvage Yard. During W.W.I. the factory
was bombed and from this point on the company no longer manufactured its own
watches, but continued as a retailer. The timepieces bearing the company name
used high quality movements supplied by Swiss manufacturers such as, Vertex, Cyma/Tavannes
and Longines. Benson continued until 1973 when the name was sold,
'supposedly' to the Royal jewellers, Garrards.