English 18K gold split seconds chronograph Circa 1902

Gold precision watch by J.W. Benson
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An important English 18 carat gold open faced split seconds chronograph precision pocket watch with a 52.5 minute carrousel, circa 1902. 2/3 Plate movement, a Bonniksen carrousel with 52.5 minutes rotation time, chain and fusee, a lever escapement, balance spring with two end curves and gold screw Invar compensation balance. The movement is inscribed Class “A” Kew Certificate. 93.2 marks. Jan. 1906. A Record. Silvered dial with Roman hours, an outer minute and fifth of a second track with Arabic five minute numerals, sunk subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and heavy spade hands. A plain case, on the back an inlaid polychrome enamel monogram and aristocratic coat of arms with the motto: Stand Fast, dated 1st. Feb. 1906, maker’s mark FT for Frederick Thoms. Dial signed, movement signed and numbered. Comes with an extract from Andreas Hidding’s chronometer database.
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Diameter: 61 mm
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Weight: 223 g
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Signed: By Warrant to H.M. the late Queen Victoria J.W. Benson 64 Ludgate Hill London
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The present precision watch was submitted in 1904 as a tourbillon à ancre and tested by Hector Golay in the Kew/Teddington Observatory. It achieved a new record of a legendary 93.2 points. This with the additional complication of a split seconds chronograph!

Born in Switzerland but working in London for most of his life, Golay was, along with Nicole, Nielsen & Co., the largest manufacturer of complicated movements in the second half of the 19th century.

The 2/3 plate design of the movement with its frosted, gold plated surface is typically English. For the heavy gold case and the silvered dial, Golay used the best makers of its time: Willis for the dial and Thoms for the case. Golay did not typically sign his own watches, most of his pieces were made for other watch retailers including Frodsham, Dent, Smith & Son and Benson. He was an extremely talented watchmaker at the highest level of precision watchmaking, Hector Golay produced some of the finest English complication watches of the late 19th century.

‘Stand Fast’ is the motto of the Grants, a Scottish clan based south-west of Loch Ness and in the Spey Valley. Hector Golay produced some of the finest English complication watches of the late 19th century. “Stand Fast” is the motto of the Grants, a Scottish clan based south-west of Loch Ness and in the Spey Valley.