English gold and enamel watch with five time zones Circa 1869

Gold and enamel hunter made for the Indian market by J.W.Benson
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A unique, English, historically interesting, gold or enamel hunting cased pocket watch with five time zones, circa 1869. Made by J.W. Benson London, it is probably the personal watch of the 6th Nizam of Hyderabad, Asaf Jah VI. Massive 18 carat gold case, bassine et filets, marked A.S. (Alfred Stram), band, bezel, pendant and bow with chased decoration; The back of red translucent enamel over engine turned, centered with a champlevé enamel monogram with the letters A and H for Asaf and Hyderabad and a dark blue coat of arms; the cover with a finely painted enamel bouquet against a powder blue ground with outer champlevé enamelled stylized floral decoration, surrounded by red, green, and white enamelling, typical decoration for the Indian market.
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Frosted and gilt three quarter English precision lever movement with 15 jewels in screwed setting, fusee with chain and maintaining power, pointed tooth lateral lever escapement, cut bi metallic balance, balance spring with a terminal curve, diamond end stone, and completely signed, Royal watchmaker J. W. Benson London. Signed fine quality champlevé dial with Roman numerals, centered showing four additional time zones beside the central main time, London, Mecca, Constantinople and New York and blued steel pear hands.
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Weight: 115 g
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Signed: J.W.Benson London
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The watch is a historically important and extremely fine gold and enamel watch and was probably a gift to Ali Khan at the age of 3 when he became the 6th Nizam of Hyderabad.
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J.W. Benson Ltd., who claimed in their publicity to have been established in 1749, although not as well known as such firms as Frodsham or Dent, were nonetheless one of the leading makers of high quality watches in later 19th century London. James William Benson, who in 1865 described himself as a Watchmaker to the Prince of Wales, made and retailed a wide range of models, mainly produced by specialist out workers around the city. He and his successors, Arthur H. Benson and Alfred Benson, also supplied chronometer movements to Kullberg, between 1868 and 1920, to Usher & Cole in 1908, and to Thomas Mercer between 1920 and 1932. James Benson further brought his company’s name to prominence by writing a series of serai professional books and pamphlets, which enjoyed considerable success but are now rare. The company was also one of the pioneers of wristwatches in England and held a patent for a double bodied watch with a screw bezel and hinged movement. Today the company is part of the Asprey group. Addresses: 6 Half Moon Cresc. Barnesbury Road 1865 58-60 Ludgate Hill 4-5 Horseshoe Court 1872-1879 99 Westbourne Grove 25 Old Bond Street 1873-1921 62-64 Ludgate Hill 1885-1937 33-34 Ludgate Hill La Belle Sauvage Yard 1921 25 Royal Exchange