J W BENSON ‘The Ludgate’ London. No 99638
Good key wound watch with “Patent Protection from dust and damp” from the Alan Treherne collection.
£245.00
Engine-turned silver “extra strong crystal glass dome” case hallmarked London 1899, sponsor’s mark J.W.B (Benson). Benson’s Ludgate going-barrel movement marked ‘PATENT No 4658.’ Single-roller detached lever escapement. Compensation balance, spiral balance-spring. Signed enamel dial, gilt hands. 50 mm diameter. Together with original silk and velvet lined makers box.
James Walter Benson ‘By Warrant to H M The Queen,’ London’s largest and most energetic watchmaking and watch retailing firm of the second half of the 19th and the first half of 20th centuries. Benson’s own make of watches, most of which, like this, being supplied by the firm of P & A Guye, were marketed under the names ‘The Bank,’ ‘The Ludgate’ and ‘The Field,’ the latter usually being their best model. However, even within the same model, quality and detailing differs.
NB: I also show a Benson advert for theses watches of circa 1890. This calliper, with its Patent movement ring, being awarded a Gold Medal at the 1885 London Inventions Exhibition.
This watch had not been touched for years and comes with an old collection label “No 23.” I offer it ‘as is’ and is priced accordingly. The case has not been polished and the box has lost part of the raised velvet ring that hold the watch in place, but I have had the movement serviced and a new staff fitted so it is ready to wear.
Item available
Description
Engine-turned silver “extra strong crystal glass dome” case hallmarked London 1899, sponsor’s mark J.W.B (Benson). Benson’s Ludgate going-barrel movement marked ‘PATENT No 4658.’ Single-roller detached lever escapement. Compensation balance, spiral balance-spring. Signed enamel dial, gilt hands. 50 mm diameter. Together with original silk and velvet lined makers box.
James Walter Benson ‘By Warrant to H M The Queen,’ London’s largest and most energetic watchmaking and watch retailing firm of the second half of the 19th and the first half of 20th centuries. Benson’s own make of watches, most of which, like this, being supplied by the firm of P & A Guye, were marketed under the names ‘The Bank,’ ‘The Ludgate’ and ‘The Field,’ the latter usually being their best model. However, even within the same model, quality and detailing differs.
NB: I also show a Benson advert for theses watches of circa 1890. This calliper, with its Patent movement ring, being awarded a Gold Medal at the 1885 London Inventions Exhibition.
This watch had not been touched for years and comes with an old collection label “No 23.” I offer it ‘as is’ and is priced accordingly. The case has not been polished and the box has lost part of the raised velvet ring that hold the watch in place, but I have had the movement serviced and a new staff fitted so it is ready to wear.