Top quality silver J W Benson half hunter pocket watch c1917

This silver Benson pocket watch has one of the best cases I have had the pleasure of selling.

The watch has clear hallmarks for London 1917

Movement – the gilt ¾ plate movement has a lever escapement and is signed “The Ludgate, J W Benson, Patent No 4658, Best London Make, To HM The Queen, Ludgate Hill, London, F4585”. The movement is in 90% mint condition – some small marks and cloudy patches

Case – the movement comes in a top quality silver hunter case, which has a hinged inner, back and front cover by JWB Ltd and is numbered 4585. The case is also marked with a discreet FT on the stem – Fred Toms, a case maker of high repute and I would think that this case was made especially for Benson. The front cover pops open to 90 degrees when you press the winder in. The case has dark blue enamel Roman numerals on the front cover. The case has a smooth plain finish and has a gold bow and gold shoulders for the pin set. The case is in 90% mint condition – light wear only with some small marks on the sides, a very small amount of enamel loss.

Dial – the white enamel dial has a pair of gilt hands and a blue steel sub seconds hand. The dial is signed “J W Benson, London” and is in 100% mint condition

The watch has a synthetic glass over the dial and a synthetic half hunter glass in the front cover. There is some glue resiude visible on the edge of the glass near the clasp

The watch measures 53mm wide x 13mm deep

The watch is stem wound / pin set

The watch comes in its original leather J W Benson box lined with silk and velvet. The box does show some age related wear.