This is an understated but impressive wristwatch with a complex cushion case. It measures 30mm x 30mm but is beautifully shaped and is packed full of high-end design elements. The key point of this case is to provide water proofing, making this an interesting version of a Hermetic watch from the late 1930s early 1940s. At this point in time JW Benson were trying to offer the very best wristwatches they could and already created the “Tropical” wristwatch designed to be water resistant. However this is an example, being cushion cased and Stainless with a more complex case design, that is rarely seen. Inside there is a high quality Universal calibre 260 movement with the JW Benson signing, indicative of the pedigree of this piece. Typically, you would expect a Cyma 032K movement inside, but this is a step above.
The case consists of the front cushion piece with attached lugs and crystal, whilst the rear is held in place with a tensioner ring. The rear of the case is a solid piece which covers the entirety of the movement. The movement is removed by detaching the crown, which is a split stem mechanism as is common in advanced waterproof cases of this era.
The case is Stainless Steel and is in very good original condition. It has a polished finish all over and is cushion shaped. The case has a polished bevel between the top and the sides. The top is curved and falls away from the bezel to the cases sides. The lugs are sharp and slim which is a very neat design. All of the case is in very good condition with only light surface scratching. It is unpolished. The bezel is built into the top section of the cushion case. It has a smooth finish and frames the dial very well.
The case back is Stainless Steel and it’s a solid piece, that holds the movement inside tightly. It has a circular grained finish to the exterior. It has the serial numbers 21019 and 743031. It also has a light service etching below this. The inside has peerlage finishing and is signed Brev.Dem, Acier Staybrite.
The crystal appears to be the original plexiglass. It fits the bezel perfectly and has the perfect profile for the case.
The dial is in good condition for it’s age. It is a silvered satin tone base, which has aged to a neat, cream tone. The surface finish has some speckled patina which is even across the dial. It is signed JW Benson London below 12 o’clock. It has Arabic numerals, infilled with Radium lume paint. This is original and has aged to a dark cream tone. The sub-second dial is inset at 6 O’clock. It has 12 markers, for each 5 seconds. The railroad track for the minutes passes around the exterior and is very clear, without wear.
It is signed Swiss Made at 6 O’clock.
The hands are original. They are thermally blued and have maintained an excellent electric blue tone which is purple in some areas. They are in good condition with no bending and minimal corrosion. They would have had Radium paint in-fill, but this has been replaced with modern lume.
The crown is original and is made of Stainless Steel. It is a good size and has enough depth to sit over the crown tube to aid water resistance.
The movement is a Universal calibre 260, having the JW Benson signing. It has 15 jewels, a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a power reserve of 47hours. This is a beautiful movement, which is high quality. The bridges have polished bevelled edges and the movement finishing is above standard.
The movement is in good condition both cosmetically and is functioning very well. The service history is unknown and it has not been serviced by ourselves.
It has a daily gain of +30 seconds, with an amplitude of 290 degrees and a beat error of 1.9m/s.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is in good condition for it’s age. It is a silvered satin tone base, which has aged to a neat, cream tone. The surface finish has some speckled patina which is even across the dial. It is signed JW Benson London below 12 o’clock. It has Arabic numerals, infilled with Radium lume paint.
This is original and has aged to a dark cream tone.
The sub-second dial is inset at 6 O’clock. It has 12 markers, for each 5 seconds. The railroad track for the minutes passes around the exterior and is very clear, without wear.
It is signed Swiss Made at 6 O’clock.
Hands:
The hands are original. They are thermally blued and have maintained an excellent electric blue tone which is purple in some areas. They are in good condition with no bending and minimal corrosion. They would have had Radium paint in-fill, but this has been replaced with modern lume.
Glass:
The crystal appears to be the original plexiglass. It fits the bezel perfectly and has the perfect profile for the case.
Crown:
The crown is original and is made of Stainless Steel. It is a good size and has enough depth to sit over the crown tube to aid water resistance. It has a polished outside and a very neat coin edge which is in good condtion.
Bezel:
The bezel is built into the top section of the cushion case. It has a smooth finish and frames the dial very well.
Case:
The case is Stainless Steel and is in very good original condition. It has a polished finish all over and is cushion shaped. The case has a polished bevel between the top and the sides. The top is curved and falls away from the bezel to the cases sides. The lugs are sharp and slim which is a very neat design. All of the case is in very good condition with only light surface scratching. It is unpolished.
Caseback:
The case back is Stainless Steel and it’s a solid piece, that holds the movement inside tightly. It has a circular grained finish to the exterior. It has the serial numbers 21019 and 743031. It also has a light service etching below this.
The inside has peerlage finishing and is signed Brev.Dem, Acier Staybrite.
Strap:
The strap is a genuine leather strap, measuring 20mm at the lugs, with foldable tabs for fixed lugs.
It will fit from a up to a 8 inch wrist diameter.
Movement:
The movement is a Universal calibre 260, having the JW Benson signing. It has 15 jewels, a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a power reserve of 47hours. This is a beautiful movement, which is high quality. The bridges have polished bevelled edges and the movement finishing is above standard.
The movement is in good condition both cosmetically and is functioning very well. The service history is unknown and it has not been serviced by ourselves.
It has a daily gain of +30 seconds, with an amplitude of 290 degrees and a beat error of 1.9m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 30mm
Case width with crown: 32mm
Case length: 29.5mm
Case length lug to lug: 32.5mm
Case Depth: 8.5mm
Lug width: 20mm