Quality Silver "J. W. Benson" Pocket Watch. 1902
SOLD
Nice
quality, key wound, English Lever pocket watch made by the reputable London
watchmaker's "J.W.Benson" (watchmakers to Queen Victoria). Dating form
1902.
Heavy sterling silver case with a snap-on bezel, hinged back and dust cover.
Back opened to reveal key holes by pressing button mounted in centre of pendant
(originally sprung loaded, spring no longer present). Case signed,
"J.W.B" (J. W. Benson) and stamped with a full English (London)
hallmark corresponding to the year 1902. Case diameter (not including pendant
and bow) : 53mm. Case condition : 80%.
White enamel dial with subsidiary seconds. Black Roman numerals. Signed,
"J.W.Benson - London". Dial condition : 100%.
Nice quality, gilt, key wound (comes with appropriate period key), English Lever
movement with bimetallic compensation balance wheel. Signed, "The Ludgate
Watch - J.W.Benson, Ludgate Hill, London - Best London Make - By Warrant to H.M.
the late Queen Victoria". Movement condition (appearance) : 90%. Time
keeping : good.
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.
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