Here on offer is a beautiful vintage 18ct gold cased & enamel Art Deco Pocket Watch by J.W.Benson, Ludgate Hill, London, circa 1931.

This original stem-winder example has an unusual white dial with ornate gold hands and gold Art Deco period numbers.

It also has a sub seconds dial set at the 6 o’clock position.

It looks to still have its original domed mineral glass fitted, which is in excellent condition.

The solid 18ct Gold rear cover has a wonderful dark blue enamel outer ring that is inset with multi coloured enamel leaves and beads intertwined with gold scroll work.

Some of the enamel has lifted at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions and four of the tiny raised amber beads appear to be missing?

The rear cover can be hinged open carefully with a blade and inside is stamped with the maker’s marks and serial numbers.

Some of the marks are rubbed and are hard to make out. However I can make out the official Swiss 18K (.75) gold standard mark and there are two sets of numbers:

7137

0635696

probably the case and movement serial numbers and some letters

BM/BBR 9

I can also just make out the London import symbol and a date letter that looks like a “q” which dates it to 1931.

I can just make out a makers mark that looks like a “C  C”

There are also a clearer set of marks on the back of the suspension loop, which are the London import mark, 18ct purity and a makers mark that is a “C * C”.

You can see from the slim shape and even down to the loop at the top of the watch that this is an Art Deco period piece.

The 15-jewel metal (not gold) watch movement is just superb, as you can see from my pictures; it is in excellent working condition.

The condition is excellent with just the slightest of light scratches and marks to the back cover and the slight damage to the enamel as described above. There is also some discolouration/shading to the watch face at the 2 o’clock position, which may clean off?

The watch measures 1.6” (4.1cm) diameter and weighs 44g.

J.W. Benson Ltd was a highly regarded London watch/clockmakers and gold/silversmiths who traded between 1847 and 1973. 

The Benson family had been watchmakers since 1749. A company, trading as S.S. & J.W. Benson, was founded in 1847 by James William Benson (born in 1826 in Reading) and his older brother Samuel Suckley Benson (born in 1822 in London). The partnership was dissolved on 27^th January 1855 and James William continued the business under the name, ‘J. W. Benson’.  James William Benson died on 7^th October 1878, aged 52, and his sons James, Alfred and Arthur took over the running of the business.

Throughout its history, J.W. Benson Ltd was official watchmaker to the Admiralty & the War Department and also held a number of royal warrants, being watchmakers to Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales, the Tsar of Russia and several other royal families.

The company's premises were: Cornhill (1847-64), Ludgate Hill (1854-1937), Old Bond Street (1872-3), Royal Exchange (1892-1937) and their original workshop was at 4-5 Horseshoe Court (at the rear of their Ludgate Hill premises). In 1892 it became a limited company and moved to their new 'steam' factory at 38 Belle Sauvage Yard.

J. W. Benson Ltd continued until 1973 at which time the name was sold to the Royal jewellers, Garrards.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please note: The postage charges quoted are for, tracked UK postage.

The international postage is shown for shipping to the USA. Shipping to Europe should be less, so please ask for an accurate price for your country.

Please ask me if you would like me to look at cheaper delivery services other than via Royal Mail.

Many thanks for taking the time to look.