English 18K gold half hunting cased lever watch Circa 1904

Gold half hunting cased keyless lever watch
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An English gold half hunting cased keyless lever watch, circa 1904, gilded three quarter plate movement with going barrel, ratchet tooth lever escapement, bimetallic compensation balance, diamond endstone, signed Best London Make, By warrant to her Majesty the late Queen Victoria, J. W. Benson, 62 and 64 Ludgate Hill, London.
Off-white enamel dial, Arabic numerals, outer minute ring, subsidiary seconds, blued steel hands, double spade hour hand to allow for viewing through the glazed aperture, signed J.W. Benson, London.
Plain gold case, the front with glazed aperture surrounded by blue Arabic numerals and minute ring, the back centered with a crest in the form of a wolf’s head, plain gold cuvette engraved W. Perry W. Woodward, covers and cuvette hallmarked for 18ct gold, London 1904, with maker’s mark JWB in an oval cameo for James William Benson.
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Signed: Best London Make By warrant to her Majesty the late Queen Victoria J. W. Benson 62 and 64 Ludgate Hill London
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James William Benson (1826-1878) was a watchmaker and retailer who established a highly successful business in London during the second half of the 19th century. Initially producing English-made watches, the company also began making watches using Swiss movements that were otherwise of similar external appearance but priced lower than their English counterparts. Bensons came to increasingly rely on Swiss imports, especially during the 20th century and the firm continued to trade until 1973.