English Silver J W Benson THE FIELD Half Hunter pocket watch c1891

This is one of three watches I am listing this week which are examples of J W Benson’s English watches. All of which are hard to find. Alas this one shows age but is still a superb example

The watch has hallmarks for London 1891

This is J W Benson’s top quality pocket watch and is extremely hard to find in silver. The signs of the quality are there, the moment you pick the watch up. The watch is very heavy for its size.

Movement – the gilt ¾ plate movement has an adjusted balance and gold jewel settings. The movement is signed “The Field Watch, By Special Warrant to H.M. The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales, J W Benson, 62 and 64 Ludgate Hill, London” # 532991. The movement is in 90% mint condition – small marks

Case – the movement comes in a top quality English silver half Hunter case where the front cover pops does not open when you press the winder in as the cover is slightly sprained and sits at an angle so it needs to be opened manually. The case has makers marks for JWB as has an enamel chapter ring on the front cover. The case has a bitter sweet inscription on the inside cover: “W Smith, Drayton, Wallingford. A Gift in Affectionate Remembrance of a much loved one. 1892. “Watch and Pray”

The case is in 65% mint condition – the winder has lost is gilt cover, the bow has been replaced by a metal example, the front cover is sprained and there are several bruises and marks

Dial – the white enamel dial has a full set of blue steel hands and is signed “J W Benson, London”. The dial is in 95% mint condition –

The watch has a plastic glass over the dial and a smaller glass in the front cover

The watch is stem wound / pin set

The watch measures 51mm wide x 15mm deep