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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Half hunter pocket watch

J W Benson Half Hunter Pocket Watch for George VI Coronation

Partially verified

This J W Benson half hunter pocket watch is a commemorative timepiece produced in 1937 for the coronation of King George VI. and is housed in a sterling silver case with a plain finish, featuring the engraved Royal cypher, initials, and crown of George VI on the reverse. The white dial is signed "J W Benson, London" and includes black hands, with one hand featuring a dual-swell design to facilitate reading the time without opening the case. The watch is stem-wound and stem-set, incorporating a 15-jewel, 3/4 plate movement equipped with a lever escapement. It functions as an historical commemorative object associated with the 1937 coronation of the British monarch.

The back of the silver half-hunter watch, showing the engraved Royal cypher of George VI, the Royal crown, and the date 1937.
The back of the silver half-hunter watch, showing the engraved Royal cypher of George VI, the Royal crown, and the date 1937. — Ashton-Blakey Vintage Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
ashton-blakey-antiques.com
Category
Pocket watch · Half hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
J W Benson
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1937
Source-reported place
England

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 and Dial Design

The watch features a sterling silver half hunter case with a plain, smooth finish. The exterior front cover is accented with blue enamel Roman numerals, allowing for time reading through the small central aperture. The reverse side of the case is engraved with the Royal cypher of King George VI, the Royal crown, his initials, and the date 1937.

The dial is white and signed "J W Benson, London," with a separate sub-seconds track positioned at the bottom. The hands are black, with one featuring a dual-swell profile intended for visibility when the watch remains closed. The auction description notes some surface unevenness on the case back.

Evidence for this section
  • “The sterling silver case, featuring flawless blue enamel Roman numerals on the front cover”
  • “The case has a smooth plain finish, with some unevenness to the back with the Royal cypher of George VI engraved on back along with his initials and the year 1937 as well the Royal Crown above”
  • “The pristine white dial, signed by J W Benson, is a canvas of sophistication.”

Movement and Function

The timepiece is powered by a 15-jewel movement constructed with a 3/4 plate layout.

The watch is both stem-wound and stem-set, with the winding crown positioned at the 3 o'clock mark. This configuration allows the user to operate the watch without requiring the case to be opened, consistent with its half-hunter design.

Evidence for this section
  • “The 15-jewel 3/4 plate movement, adorned with a lever escapement, bears the signature of excellence”
  • “Measuring at an impressive 52mm in diameter, this stem-set and stem-wound watch is not just an accessory; it's a statement.”

Historical Context

produced to mark the 1937 coronation of King George VI. The inclusion of the monarch’s specific cypher and the year on the case back links the object to this historical event.

The manufacturer, J W Benson, was an established firm founded in 1847 with a known history of serving members of the British Royal family, including Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales, which the auction description references to provide context for the maker's status.

Evidence for this section
  • “Introducing the J W Benson Half Hunter Commemorative Watch for George VI Coronation in 1937”
  • “The company, founded in 1847, stood as a beacon of luxury during Victorian times, serving royalty across Europe”

Open research questions

  • What are the specific London silver hallmarks present on the inner case back?
  • Does the movement number correlate with J W Benson production records for the year 1937?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for J W Benson Half Hunter Pocket Watch for George VI Coronation
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJ W Benson“Crafted by the esteemed jewellers J W Benson”
Date1937“Commemorative Watch for George VI Coronation in 1937”
Movement15-jewel, 3/4 plate, lever escapement“15-jewel 3/4 plate movement, adorned with a lever escapement”
Case MaterialSterling silver“sterling silver masterpiece”
Case Size52mm“Measuring at an impressive 52mm in diameter”
Dial SignatureJ W Benson, London“The pristine white dial, signed by J W Benson”

Visible details

  • Case back features engraved Royal cypher, initials, and crown
  • Front cover has blue enamel Roman numerals
  • Dial signed 'J W Benson, London' with sub-seconds dial
  • Stem-wound and stem-set mechanism

Research qualifications

  • The source does not provide the serial number or specific hallmarks for the silver case
  • The extent of unevenness on the case back is subjective

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

Consulted source

ساعت جیبی هاف‌هانتر نقره J W Benson یادبود تاج‌گذاری جرج ششم ۱۹۳۷

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record f5dedcd484

Terms in this record

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

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