English 18K gold minute repeating pocket watch Circa 1900

Gold half hunting cased pocket watch by J.W. Benson
–
A particularly heavy half hunting cased minute repeating pocket watch with original presentation box by royal watchmaker J.W. Benson in London, circa 1900. The polished plain 18 carat gold case is of particularly heavy quality with radial Roman hour numerals on the front. White enamel dial with Roman hours, an outer minute track, subsidiary dial for the seconds at 6 o’clock and blued steel double pear hands. A signed and numbered lever movement of fine quality with so-called free sprung Breguet hairspring, special gold screw balance and diamond endstone.
–
Diameter: 51 mm
–
Weight: 134 g
–
Signed: J.W. Benson
–
James William Benson
Benson comes from an English family of watchmakers whose company has existed since 1749. James William was active from circa 1857 to 1887 at 62/64 Ludgate Hill, London. From 1865, Benson referred to himself as a watchmaker to the Prince of Wales. At that time, the product range of this well-known company included pocket watches of all types and complications, pocket and marine chronometers, including movements by Victor Kullberg, Mercer, Hector Golay, Marc Plojoux and Usher & Cole, large clocks and tower clocks as the Portsmouth City Hall clock. Arthur H. and Alfred Benson later succeeded him. Today, the Benson company is part of the Asprey Group.