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UNIVERSAL GENÈVE
J.W. BENSON LONDON
AUTOMATIC
CIRCA 1953
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A rare watch stamped and sold by the prestigious firm of J.W. Benson which was one of the most respected watchmakers in London during the second half of the 19th century and was one of the very few wristwatch houses owned by English rather than Swiss.
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The company was originally established in 1847 by brothers James William Benson and Samuel Suckley Benson who set up shop as watchmakers, silversmiths and goldsmiths in Cornhill, London. In addition to making their own watches and jewelry, they were also importers and retailers of fine diamonds, goldsmiths and silverware. After only eight years, the partnership was dissolved in 1855 and J.W. Benson continued alone. He then took additional premises at 33 Ludgate Hill and as the business grew, he expanded to number 34 next door. In the 1860's he advertised his large, well-stocked store with an adjoining workshop specializing not only in the manufacture of watches and clocks, but also in their repair. He began to participate in national and international exhibitions, including London in 1862, Paris in 1867 and the 1885 Exhibition of Inventions where he unveiled the "Patent Dust and Damp Excluding Band for Watches".
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In 1872, a store was opened in Bond Street, followed by another in the Royal Exchange in 1890, and a new steam factory in La Belle Sauvage Yard, close to the Ludgate Hill premises. In 1878, J.W. Benson died, leaving his sons Alfred and Arthur to continue the business. The following year, they received a Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria, to which they added those from the Prince of Wales and the Kings of Siam and Denmark. Although best known for its watches, the company also sold jewelry and, by the 1880s, was incorporating platinum into its gold and diamond jewelry. In 1888, they launched "The" 88 "Jewellery" collection with pieces such as brooches, bracelets and cufflinks, all featuring two overlapping and intertwined figure-of-eight motifs. These were presented at the time as the perfect wedding or anniversary gift and displayed alongside their regular stock of diamond pendants, fancy brooches and stick pins.
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In 1889, the company took over the Hunt & Roskell company and continued successfully until the Second World War. Unfortunately, during this period the factory was bombed, destroying thousands of watches and from that point on the company no longer manufactured its own watches, but continued as a retailer. The watches bearing the company's name used high qualitySwiss movements supplied by manufacturers such as Vertex (Revue), Universal Genève, Cyma/Tavannes, Longines and by the English manufacturer, S. Smith and Sons.
J. W. Benson Ltd continued until 1973 when the name was sold to the royal jewellers, Garrards. Today they are best remembered for their watches, now collectors' items from a wonderful period in British watchmaking history.
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This is an elegant, well-proportioned Universal Genève watch. The off-white dial, with applied and split indexes, large indicators with numerals at 3,6,9 and 12 o'clock, exudes a subtle and refined classicism.
The dial is marked "Universal Genève Polerouter jet J.W. Benson London" at the top and "Automatic" at the bottom. All original, this example has developed a beautiful patina over the last sixty years.
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The case is a chrome plated metal base, with a stainless steel clip-on back. There is some wear on the case commensurate with age, but the whole thing is in great condition, very clean. The case back has the original part number, 20005, and serial numbers 1650782 on the case back dating the watch to around 1953. It is embossed inside with the typical logo of that era.
The watch is powered by a Swiss-made automatic movement: the "bumper" caliber 138. It's a reliable, durable movement that was used in many Universal watches of this era, including the 138SS declination in the first Universal "Polarouter" watches. Overall condition is very good, and the dial is really the part that makes this watch stand out from the crowd. Overall, a beautiful and rare reference stamped by one of the most prestigious jewelers of the era.
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