VINTAGE 18ct GOLD CASED & ENAMEL ART DECO POCKET WATCH BY J. W. BENSON c1931
Here on offer is a beautiful. Vintage 18ct gold cased & enamel Art Deco Pocket Watch by J. 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 oclock 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 oclock 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 makers 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. Probably the case and movement serial numbers and some letters. I can also just make out the London import symbol and a date letter that looks like a. Which dates it to 1931. I can just make out a makers mark that looks like a 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 oclock position, which may clean off? The watch measures 1.6 (4.1cm) diameter and weighs 44g. 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. 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. January 1855 and James William continued the business under the name, J. James William Benson died on 7. October 1878, aged 52, and his sons James, Alfred and Arthur took over the running of the business. Throughout its history, J. 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. In 1892 it became a limited company and moved to their new’steam’ factory at 38 Belle Sauvage Yard. Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description. Many thanks for taking the time to look. The item “VINTAGE 18ct GOLD CASED & ENAMEL ART DECO POCKET WATCH BY J. W. BENSON c1931″ is in sale since Monday, June 26, 2017. This item is in the category “Jewellery & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Pocket Watches”. The seller is “safinob” and is located in Reading. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Number of Jewels: 15 Jewels
- Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland
- Material: Gold
- Year of Manufacture: 1930-1939
- Brand: J.W Benson