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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Half hunter pocket watch

J.W. Benson 18ct Gold Half Hunter Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This 18ct gold half hunter pocket watch by J.W. Benson is dated 1890 by Bonhams. Measuring 48mm in diameter, the timepiece features a plain gold case fitted with a blue enamel chapter ring around the aperture on the front cover. The white enamel dial is inscribed 'J. W. Benson London' in script and exhibits black Roman numerals, an outer minute track, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. According to the auction description, the dial, case, and movement are all signed Benson.

Front view of open J.W. Benson 18ct gold half hunter pocket watch showing the white enamel dial and subsidiary seconds
Front view of open J.W. Benson 18ct gold half hunter pocket watch showing the white enamel dial and subsidiary seconds — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Pocket watch · Half hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
J.W. Benson
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
17
Source-reported date
1890
Country
United Kingdom

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

Case Construction and Exterior Form

The pocket watch is described in the auction catalogue as an 18ct gold half hunter with a case measuring 48mm in diameter. The source notes a plain case featuring a blue enamel chapter ring on the front. Visible on the case pendant is a ribbed winding crown enclosed within a circular gold bow.

In the auction photograph, the front half hunter cover is opened, revealing the glazed white enamel dial and an internal circular window aperture. Because the piece is documented solely in this open configuration, the blue enamel chapter ring and the outer surface of the front cover are not shown.

Evidence for this section
  • “An 18ct gold half hunter pocket watch, by J.W. Benson, 1890”
  • “the plain case with blue enamel chapter ring to the front, diameter 48mm”
  • “Front half hunter cover is opened, revealing the glazed white enamel dial and an internal circular window aperture.”
  • “Ribbed winding crown fitted inside a circular gold bow attached to the pendant.”

Dial and Hands

The timepiece features a white enamel dial bearing black Roman hour chapters bordered by an outer minute track. In script below the 12 o'clock position, the dial is signed 'J. W. Benson London'.

Time is marked by blued steel hands, comprising a spade hour hand and an index minute hand. A subsidiary seconds dial is located at the 6 o'clock position, graduated with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals and fitted with a blued steel seconds hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “The white enamel dial with black Roman chapters bordered by outer minute track, blued steel hands”
  • “White enamel dial signed 'J. W. Benson London' below 12 o'clock in cursive script.”
  • “Blued steel spade hour hand and matching index minute and seconds hands.”
  • “Subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock marked with Arabic numerals in ten-second increments.”

Reported Signatures and Documentation Limits

The auction entry assigns a date of 1890 to the watch and states that the dial, case, and movement are all signed 'Benson'. Calibre details, jewel count, escapement type, and specific movement numbering are not recorded in the source text.

Because the internal movement and interior case lids are neither described in detail nor shown in the catalogue photograph, physical movement characteristics and casemaker or assay marks cannot be verified from the provided documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “dial, case and movement signed Benson”
  • “An 18ct gold half hunter pocket watch, by J.W. Benson, 1890”

Open research questions

  • What assay hallmarks, date letters, or sponsor marks are struck inside the 18ct gold case back and cuvette?
  • What calibre layout, escapement configuration, and serial numbers are present on the internal Benson movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for J.W. Benson 18ct Gold Half Hunter Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJ.W. Benson“by J.W. Benson”
Case Material18ct gold“An 18ct gold half hunter pocket watch”
DialWhite enamel with black Roman chapters“The white enamel dial with black Roman chapters bordered by outer minute track”
HandsBlued steel“blued steel hands”
Case Diameter48mm“diameter 48mm”
SignaturesBenson on dial, case, and movement“dial, case and movement signed Benson”
Auction Sale Price£1,080 inc. premium“Sold for £1,080 inc. premium”
Auction Date and Location8 December 2010, Edinburgh“8 December 2010, 10:00 GMT Edinburgh”

Visible details

  • Front half hunter cover is opened, revealing the glazed white enamel dial and an internal circular window aperture.
  • White enamel dial signed 'J. W. Benson London' below 12 o'clock in cursive script.
  • Subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock marked with Arabic numerals in ten-second increments.
  • Blued steel spade hour hand and matching index minute and seconds hands.
  • Ribbed winding crown fitted inside a circular gold bow attached to the pendant.

Research qualifications

  • The internal movement is not illustrated in the auction photograph.
  • The exterior of the closed front cover bearing the blue enamel chapter ring is not shown.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : An 18ct gold half hunter pocket watch, by J.W. Benson,

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record a1fd4b14bb

Terms in this record

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

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