The watch has a 15-jewel stem-winding movement, identified as by Cyma, which is working nicely. The movement is signed J W Benson, the original retailer of the watch, and it is all protected by an inner hinged cover.

The watch measures 50mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop. The case is silver and there are hallmarks inside the two hinged case backs for Birmingham 1918 with a case maker’s mark for Aaron Dennison. Dennisons was a Birmingham based case maker who supplied various watch makers with cases. The case is in good condition, just a little unevenness to the back.

The glass lens is in good condition.

The dial is signed J W Benson and it is in lovely condition with original blued steel hands.

J W Benson originated in 1847, founded by James William Benson and Samuel Suckley Benson. They were regarded as one of Victorian London’s most prestigious retail jewellers and they also manufactured their own watch movements. The company flourished and proudly boasted an elite client base made up of both British and European royalty and a selection of well heeled industrialists and business figures including the King of Siam, the King of Portugal, the King of Denmark, the Emperor of Japan, the Tsar of Russia and the King of Greece. J W Benson also supplied watches to Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales.

The watch comes in an antique J W Benson presentation box.