J.W. Benson 18ct Gold Half Hunter Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1890
Maker / issuer
J.W. BensonThis 18ct gold half hunter pocket watch by J.W. Benson is dated 1890 by Bonhams. Measuring 48mm in diameter, the timepiece features a plain gold case fitted with a blue enamel chapter ring around the aperture on the front cover.
The white enamel dial is inscribed 'J. W. Benson London' in script and exhibits black Roman numerals, an outer minute track, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. According to the auction description, the dial, case, and movement are all signed Benson.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Dial
- White enamel with black Roman chapters
- Type
- Half hunter pocket watch
- Hands
- Blued steel
- Maker
- J.W. Benson
- Signatures
- Benson on dial, case, and movement
- Case Diameter
- 48mm
- Case Material
- 18ct gold
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Maker / attribution
- J.W. Benson
Design
- Dial and Hands
- The timepiece features a white enamel dial bearing black Roman hour chapters bordered by an outer minute track. In script below the 12 o'clock position, the dial is signed 'J. W. Benson London'. Time is marked by blued steel hands, comprising a spade hour hand and an index minute hand. A subsidiary seconds dial is located at the 6 o'clock position, graduated with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals and fitted with a blued steel seconds hand.
- Visible features
- • Front half hunter cover is opened, revealing the glazed white enamel dial and an internal circular window aperture. • White enamel dial signed 'J. W. Benson London' below 12 o'clock in cursive script. • Subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock marked with Arabic numerals in ten-second increments. • Blued steel spade hour hand and matching index minute and seconds hands. • Ribbed winding crown fitted inside a circular gold bow attached to the pendant.
- Case Construction and Exterior Form
- The pocket watch is described in the auction catalogue as an 18ct gold half hunter with a case measuring 48mm in diameter. The source notes a plain case featuring a blue enamel chapter ring on the front. Visible on the case pendant is a ribbed winding crown enclosed within a circular gold bow. In the auction photograph, the front half hunter cover is opened, revealing the glazed white enamel dial and an internal circular window aperture. Because the piece is documented solely in this open configuration, the blue enamel chapter ring and the outer surface of the front cover are not shown.
- Reported Signatures and Documentation Limits
- The auction entry assigns a date of 1890 to the watch and states that the dial, case, and movement are all signed 'Benson'. Calibre details, jewel count, escapement type, and specific movement numbering are not recorded in the source text. Because the internal movement and interior case lids are neither described in detail nor shown in the catalogue photograph, physical movement characteristics and casemaker or assay marks cannot be verified from the provided documentation.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The internal movement is not illustrated in the auction photograph.
- Research required: The exterior of the closed front cover bearing the blue enamel chapter ring is not shown.