English heavy gold half hunting cased minute repeater Circa 1902

Gold half hunter cased pocket watch by J.W. Benson
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A fine and heavy English minute repeating half hunting cased manual wind pocket watch, 18 carat gold pocket watch, circa 1902. Gilt three quarter plate keyless English lever movement with five screwed chatons going barrel, bimetallic compensation balance, polished indicator.
Signed white enamel dial with subsidiary seconds, Roman numerals and blue steel spade hands. Plain back with monogram. 18 Carat half hunter cased with 18 carat gold cuvette.
Hallmarked London 1902-1903.  Dial and movement signed.
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Diameter: 54 mm
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Weight: 158 g
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Signed: J.W. Benson London
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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.
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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
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Contains 106 grams of 18 carat gold.
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Reference: 0065000