English 18K gold minute repeating pocket watch Circa 1870

Gold hunting cased pocket watch 
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A heavy English 18 carat gold hunting cased minute repeating pocket watch made by Sir John Bennett, Maker to the Royal Observatory in London, circa 1870. Extraordinary precision lever movement with a special shape and arrangement of the hammers. White enamel dial with radial Roman hours, outer minute divisions, subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and blued steel spade hands. Plain case with a monogram on the front cover and a signed dust cover with the representation of the English Royal coat of arms.
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Diameter: 52 mm
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Weight: 122 g
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Signed: John Bennett
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John Bennett, English watchmaker
John Bennett was born in Greenwich on October 15, 1814, as the son of watchmaker John Bennett Sr (1786-1828).
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In 1847, he started his own business at 65 Cheapside and became the owner of the most important watch shop in London.
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Bennett was knighted by Queen Victoria at Saint Paul’s Cathedral in 1871 and he was further elected Sheriff of London. At the Paris Exhibition in 1878, John was made a Knight of the Legion of Honour. He was also a member of the Royal Astronomical Society and worked as Maker to the Royal Observatory.