18K gold JW Benson Half Hunter with Goodwood provenance c1925

This pocket watch was made by Longines, Switzerland and retailed by Hunt and Roskell Ltd and J W Benson Ltd.

The watch was presented to Lord Settrington, Frederick Charles Gordon Lennox, 9th Duke of Richmond, 9th Duke of Lennox, 9th Duke of Aubigny, 4th Duke of Gordon (5th February 1904-2 November 1989) was a British Peer, engineer, Racing Driver and motor racing promoter. Within his inheritance was the Goodwood estate which he transformed from a horse racing venue to a motor racing venue and became the Goodwood circuit. The Duke was also the longest-serving Vice President of the Royal Automobile Club.

Movement – the high quality gilt bridge movement has a lever escapement and is signed “Swiss Made, 16 Jewels” and is signed and numbered “B & Co” 18.90M under the balance. The movement is in 99% mint condition

Case – the movement comes in a slim profile 18K gold hunter case, which has a hinged inner, back and front cover. The front cover has fine blue enamel numbers and pops open to just under 90 degrees when you press the winder in. The inner cover is engraved “Presented Lord Settrington on his 21st Birthday by estate employers at Forchaber and Glenivet, Feb 5th1925”.

The case is engraved with the Duke of Settrington cypher on the back

The rest of the case has a smooth plain finish and is in 95% mint condition

Dial – the silvered dial has a full set of blue steel hands and is signed “JW Benson, London, Swiss Made”. The dial is in 95% mint condition – some light marks on the bottom part of the dial

The watch has a mineral glass over the dial and in the front cover.

The watch measures 45mm wide x 7mm deep

The watch is stem wound / stem set

The watch comes in its original leather box lined with velvet and silk and signed Hunt and Roskell Ltd and J W Benson Ltd. The inner section of the box has a partition for the watch and also a partition for a watch chain – not included

The front of the box is tooled “Presented to Lord Settrington By the Estate Employees in Fochabers and Glenivet Districts with best wishes on his Lordship’s coming of age Feb 5th 1925”