For sale we have a 1944 JW Benson 9ct gold, enamel dial trench watch, with luminous arabic numerals and an AS manual wind movement. It is a good original example, with no replacement parts.
The round, 9ct gold case measures 32.5mm x 32.5mm, with a lug-to-lug measurement of 37mm. It is a neat design, with the thin wire lugs. The bezel and the case back snap on to the central piece with the lugs. To the right of the case is the neat, coin edge crown.
The dial is excellent, with no damage. It has a railroad minute track, with an in-set sub-second dial. It has bold arabic numerals with Radium luminous in-fill. It is signed JW Benson London below 12. The Lance Alpha hands are relatively uncommon, particularly with luminous in-fill. This is original and has aged to the same tone as the hour markers.
The inside of the case bares the makers mark for Dennison, with British hallmarking from Birmingham assay office. This dates the watch to 1944/45.
Behind the case back is the AS manual wind movement. It has a jewel count of 15, with stripped finishing to the bridges. It is a good movement, keeping time to within +60 seconds a day.
Overall, this is a very nicely designed and functional trench style watch from the mid 1940s. The condition of the dial and the ageing of the luminous gives it a lovely balance.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is original and is formed of enamel. It is in good condition with no hair line fractures or chips. The original signing is very good and it has the original radium on the hour markers.
Hands:
The hands are original and are of Lance Alpha style. They are thermally blued, with a finish that has darkened with age. The lume in-fill is original and has aged nicely.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal is a replacement and has some scratching associated with age.
Crown:
The crown is original, in a gold tone. It functions well.
Case:
The case is formed of 9ct gold and is in good condition. It has its original polished finish with light surface scratching. The bezel is good with light scratching. The wire lugs are good and un-bent.
Case back:
The case back is 9ct gold and is in good condition with light surface scratches.
Strap:
The watch comes on a new Hirsch leather strap.
Movement:
The movement is an AS calibre. It is a manual wind movement, with sub-second hand and a jewel count of 15.
The service history is unknown, but the watch is functioning well. It’s keeping time to +60 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 200 degrees and a beat error of 1.2m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 32.5mm
Case width with crown: 34mm
Case length: 32.5mm
Case length lug to lug: 37mm
Case Depth: 11mm
Lug width: 12mm
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£525.00Price
Out of Stock
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