Sir John Bennett Ltd open-face pocket watch with fitted box
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
early 1910s / 1920s
This open-face pocket watch retailed by Sir John Bennett, Ltd. is presented alongside a fitted gilt-embossed leather box. The dealer reports the case is sterling silver marked 925 with date marks, measuring 5 cm in diameter and 7 mm in thickness.
The light-coloured dial display features printed Arabic numerals, an outer track, open-worked hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The seller notes that the bow has been replaced with a silver-plated component, and dates the watch to the early 1910s or 1920s.
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 watch
- Bow condition
- Silver plated replacement bow
- Case diameter
- 5 cm
- Case material
- 925 sterling silver
- Case thickness
- 7 mm
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Box inscription
- manufacturers to the Royal Observatory and the Queen, Sir John Bennett, Ltd watchmakers and Goldsmiths 65 Cheapside London
- Maker / attribution
- Sir John Bennett, Ltd.
Design
- Visible features
- • Light-toned dial with open-worked spade or cathedral-style hands and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. • Outer case rim displays relief chased patterning around the perimeter. • Contained with a dark textured box featuring gilt-stamped lettering referencing Sir John Bennett, Ltd., 65 Cheapside, London. • Replacement bow visibly mounted above the winding crown.
- Case Construction and Retail Markings
- The open-face pocket watch features a circular case with a low profile reported by the seller as 7 mm thick, 5 cm in diameter, and measuring 6.5 cm from top to bottom. The dealer states that the interior of the case is marked '925 (which is sterling silver)' alongside 'date marks X & Y', and that the retailer's wording appears inside the case as well. Visually, the outer case rim displays relief chased patterning around its perimeter. A modification is present at the pendant assembly: the dealer notes that the original bow has been replaced with a silver-plated bow, which is visibly mounted above the winding crown.
- Dial Presentation and Movement Status
- Visual observation documents a light-toned dial configuration fitted with open-worked spade or cathedral-style hands, printed Arabic numerals, an outer track, and a subsidiary seconds dial situated at 6 o'clock. The dealer claims the piece has an 'excellent working movement' that 'keeps great time'. However, because the uncased mechanism is not shown in the photographic documentation, its calibre layout, jewelling, escapement design, and finishing are not recorded in this source.
- Fitted Box and Chronological Discrepancies
- The pocket watch is accompanied by a dark textured leather box lined with blue velvet. The dealer reports the box lid is lettered in gold leaf with the text: 'manufacturers to the Royal Observatory and the Queen, Sir John Bennett, Ltd watchmakers and Goldsmiths 65 Cheapside London'. The exterior dimensions of this case are stated as 10.5 cm wide by 11 cm high and 2.7 cm deep. The seller's description contains conflicting chronological assertions, stating both that the watch 'dates to the early 1910s' and classifying it as a '1920s pocket watch'. Without photographic reproduction of the internal assay hallmarks to clarify the reported 'date marks X & Y', an exact production year cannot be confirmed from the source.
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 source text offers contradictory dating, noting both 'early 1910s' and '1920s'.
- Research required: Dealer notes that the original bow has been replaced with a silver-plated bow.
- Research required: Movement details are described by the seller as working but movement engravings are not documented in the single provided image.