English white metal chronograph pocket watch Circa 1950

White metal watch with special scale
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A rare English white metal open faced keyless pocket watch made by J.W. Benson in London, circa  1950. A plain case, with a single button chronograph. A white enamel dial with multiscale tachymeter has a red and blue scale, a 30 minute counter, Arabic five minute numerals, Arabic hour numerals, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock. The movement has a very fine quality, an anker chronometer and a chronograph. Signature on the dial.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Weight: 113 g
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Signed: J. W. Benson, London
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J.W. Benson Ltd., which 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