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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Antique Silver Revue Pocket Watch, J W Benson, 1928

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch features a Swiss 15-jewel stem-winding movement identified by the seller as manufactured by Revue. The piece is housed in a 49mm silver case bearing Birmingham hallmarks dating to 1928, along with a maker's mark attributed to Aaron Dennison. The white dial is signed by the retailer J. W. Benson, London, and marked Swiss Made at the bottom. It displays black Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the six o'clock position.

Front view of the J. W. Benson open-face pocket watch on a clear stand
Front view of the J. W. Benson open-face pocket watch on a clear stand — The Vintage Wrist Watch Company. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sellingantiques.co.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Revue
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
SA1203685
Source-reported date
1928
Source-reported place
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Visual Appearance

The pocket watch displays an open-face format with a white dial featuring black Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the 6 o'clock position. The hands are gold-toned spade hands, and the case is fitted with a fluted brass-toned onion crown along with a top suspension loop.

The dial is inscribed 'J. W. BENSON / LONDON' above the centre and marked 'SWISS MADE' along the bottom perimeter. While platform cataloguer notes describe the front crystal as a glass lens, the dealer's text explicitly notes an 'acrylic lens' exhibiting 'just a short scratch near the edge'.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial with black Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock”
  • “Gold-toned spade hands and a fluted brass-toned onion crown”
  • “Dial signed 'J. W. BENSON / LONDON' and 'SWISS MADE'”
  • “The acrylic lens is in good condition, just a short scratch near the edge but not too noticeable at all.”

Case Construction and Hallmarking

The watch features a silver case measuring 49 mm in diameter excluding the winding stem and suspension loop. The seller notes that the exterior case displays light surface marking and small marks.

According to the seller's description, hallmarks are present inside both case backs representing Birmingham assay marks for 1928, accompanied by a maker's mark attributed to Birmingham case maker Aaron Dennison. Neither the interior case marks nor the inner case back surfaces are visible in the provided primary listing photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch measures 49mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
  • “The case has light surface marking and small marks, nothing too serious.”
  • “hallmarks inside both of the case backs for Birmingham 1928, with a case maker’s mark for Aaron Dennison, the Birmingham case maker.”

Movement and Retailer Attribution

The retailer identified on the dial is J. W. Benson. The internal movement is described by the dealer as a Swiss 15-jewel stem-winding mechanism identified as manufactured by Revue, protected beneath an inner hinged cover displaying surface polishing marks.

Because the inner case back and movement are not shown in the single listing photograph, the movement manufacturer, jewel count, and specific hallmark stamps cannot be independently verified from the image and rely strictly on the dealer's listing statements.

Evidence for this section
  • “The dial is signed with the name of the original retailer, J W Benson.”
  • “The watch has a Swiss 15-jewel stem-winding movement which is working nicely. The movement has been identified as by Revue”
  • “it is all protected by an inner hinged cover which has surface polishing marks.”

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Antique Silver Revue Pocket Watch, J W Benson, 1928
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MovementSwiss 15-jewel stem-winding movement identified as Revue“The watch has a Swiss 15-jewel stem-winding movement which is working nicely. The movement has been identified as by Revue”
Case HallmarksBirmingham silver hallmarks for 1928“hallmarks inside both of the case backs for Birmingham 1928”
Case MakerAaron Dennison“with a case maker’s mark for Aaron Dennison, the Birmingham case maker.”
Diameter49mm excluding stem and loop“The watch measures 49mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
RetailerJ W Benson“The dial is signed with the name of the original retailer, J W Benson.”
Inner Hinged CoverFitted with an inner hinged cover bearing surface polishing marks“it is all protected by an inner hinged cover which has surface polishing marks.”
PackagingSupplied with a new presentation box“The watch comes in a new presentation box.”
Date Range DiscrepancyPlatform header lists '1900 - 1920' while dealer text dates case hallmarks to 1928“Antique Silver Revue Pocket Watch, J W Benson, 1928 1900 - 1920”

Visible details

  • White dial with black Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock
  • Gold-toned spade hands and a fluted brass-toned onion crown
  • Open-face silver case with top-mounted winding stem and suspension bow
  • Dial signed 'J. W. BENSON / LONDON' and 'SWISS MADE'

Research qualifications

  • The internal movement and inner case hallmarks are not visible in the primary photograph
  • Dealer notes mention an acrylic lens with a slight edge scratch, while the platform note mentions glass

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Silver Open Face Pocket Watch 1900 - 1920 | Sellingantiques.co.uk

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record d247cebf90

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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