J. W. Benson silver open-face pocket watch with fitted box
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 1923
Maker / issuer
J.W. BensonThis open-face pocket watch was retailed by J. W. Benson of London, housing a Swiss-made nickel three-quarter plate lever escapement movement with 15 jewels. According to the seller, the movement was cased in England in a Dennison silver open-face case bearing Birmingham hallmarks for 1923.
It features coin-edged sides, engine turning, and a stem-wind and stem-set configuration. The white enamel dial is marked 'J. W. Benson, London' and 'Swiss Made', featuring Roman numerals, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. Measuring 50 mm by 15 mm, the watch is fitted with a bevelled mineral glass and is housed in its retailer-signed red presentation box.
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
- Type
- Open-face pocket watch
- Case Maker
- Dennison
- Dimensions
- 50mm x 15mm deep
- Escapement
- Lever escapement
- Dealer Code
- 4.104 (AB-269767)
- Case Hallmarks
- Birmingham 1923
- Place recorded
- Switzerland and United Kingdom
- Maker / attribution
- J. W. Benson
- Movement Inscription
- JW Benson, 15 Jewels, Swiss Made
Design
- Visible features
- • White enamel dial with black Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds track at 6 o'clock. • Blued steel spade-style hands set beneath a clear crystal. • Fitted within an open dark velvet-lined presentation box bearing retailer text on the inner lid silk reading 'J.W. Benson Ltd. Watchmakers, Jewellers & Silversmiths, 62 & 64, Ludgate Hill, E.C.4.'.
- Dial and Visual Presentation
- The pocket watch features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, an outer track, and a subsidiary seconds display at 6 o'clock. Hands are of blued steel, with a spade-style hour hand observed beneath a clear crystal reported by the dealer to be bevelled mineral glass. The dial is signed 'J W Benson, London, Swiss Made'. The watch is accommodated in a red leather box lined with silk and velvet, with visible interior silk printing detailing the retailer as 'J.W. Benson Ltd. Watchmakers, Jewellers & Silversmiths, 62 & 64, Ludgate Hill, E.C.4.'.
- Case Construction and Hallmarks
- According to the dealer, the watch is housed in an English silver open-face case manufactured by Dennison, featuring a hinged inner cover, back cover, and bezel. Dimensions are reported as 50 mm in diameter by 15 mm in depth. The case exterior is stated by the seller to have coin-edged sides and engine turning, with hallmarks for Birmingham 1923. Because the provided visual record only shows the face of the watch resting in the retailer box, the engine turning, case edge profile, and internal silver hallmarks are not visible in the photograph.
- Reported Movement and Mechanism
- The interior mechanism is not depicted in the source imagery. The listing describes it as a Swiss-manufactured nickel three-quarter plate lever escapement movement containing 15 jewels. The movement is stated to be stem-wound and stem-set, bearing the engraved signature 'JW Benson, 15 Jewels, Swiss Made'. The dealer indicates the movement was produced in Switzerland before being cased and sold in England.
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 movement and interior hallmarks are not visible in the presented photograph and rely on seller description.
- Research required: The rear case decoration and engine turning are not visible in the front-facing box view.