English 18K gold minute repeating lever watch Circa 1895

Gold repeating full hunter
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An English 18 carat gold hunting cased minute repeating keyless pocket watch made by J.W. Benson in London, circa 1895. Swiss precision movement with lever escapement, repeating the minutes. Cream coloured enamel dial with Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track, sunk subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and blued spade & whip hands. A polished case with maker’s mark FT for Frederick Thomas. Dial and movement signed, case numbered.
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Weight: 117 g
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Signed: J.W. Benson London Swiss made
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James William Benson was an English scientific instrument maker, a gold and silversmith, and watchmaker. He was born on April 12th, 1826, in Reading, Berkshire, England, as the son of William Benson and Phoebe Suckley.
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Together with his brother, Samuel Suckley Benson, born in 1822 in London, James William founded the company S. S. & J.W. Benson in 1847. They purchased the premises and, possibly, the business interests of established companies in London at Cornhill and Ludgate Hill. The partnership was dissolved on January 27^th, 1855, and James William continued in business under the name J.W. Benson.
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The prestigious firm of J.W. Benson was one of the most respected watchmakers in London during the second half of the 19th century and was one of the very few early watch houses that was English, rather than Swiss, owned.
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Timepieces bearing the company name were fitted with high quality Swiss movements supplied by manufacturers such as Vertex (Revue), Universal Genève, Cyma/Tavannes and Longines, but also by the English maker, S. Smith & Sons.
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At age 52, James William died on October 7^th, 1878, and his sons James, Alfred and Arthur took over the business.
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Throughout its history, J.W. Benson Ltd was official watchmaker to the Admiralty and War Department. It also held several royal warrants as watchmakers to, amongst others, Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales, the Tsar of Russia and Abu Bakar of Johor.
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In 1889, the company took over the firm of Hunt & Roskell and continued successfully until World War II, when its factory was bombed and ceased manufacturing. However, they continued as retailers for many years.
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J.W. Benson Ltd continued until 1973, at which time the name was sold to the royal jewellers, Garrards.