Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Dress watch

J.W. Benson Sub Seconds Cushion/Square Watch

Partially verified

This vintage silver wristwatch signed by J.W. Benson features a cushion-shaped square case with wire-style lugs. According to the seller, the inner caseback displays Glasgow import hallmarks dating the piece to circa 1934–1935. The white enamel dial is styled with open Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, cathedral-style hands, and a subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock. The seller reports that the watch is powered by an unserviced 15-jewel manual-wind mechanical movement of unidentified calibre, housed in a sterling silver case measuring 32 mm across.

J.W. Benson square cushion-case wristwatch worn on the wrist
J.W. Benson square cushion-case wristwatch worn on the wrist — Vintage Watch Specialist. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
vintagewatchspecialist.com
Category
Wristwatch · Dress watch
Maker / attribution
J.W. Benson
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
VWS3220CS
Source-reported date
c. 1934-1935
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 Form and Reported Hallmarks

The watch is observed in a cushion-shaped square metallic case fitted with wire-style lugs, shown mounted on a dark leather strap on the wrist. The seller describes the case as sterling silver and lists its measurements as 32 mm in width, 37 mm in lug height, and 22 mm in lug width.

Dating of the piece relies entirely on the seller's account of internal markings, specifically an "FF import mark and K Date Hallmark on the inside caseback," interpreted by the seller as indicating importation to Glasgow around 1934–1935. As the caseback interior is not visible in the photograph, these hallmarks cannot be confirmed through visual inspection.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cushion-shaped square metallic case fitted with wire-style lugs.”
  • “Mounted on a dark leather strap on the wrist.”
  • “Width 32mm”
  • “Lug Height 37mm”
  • “Lug width 22mm”
  • “Case Sterling Silver”
  • “FF import mark and K Date Hallmark on the inside caseback”

Dial and Hand Execution

The visible dial is white with black outlined Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The seller identifies the crystal as plexiglass and describes the dial surface as white enamel.

The watch features cathedral-style hour and minute hands showing patinated or luminous fill. The seller describes them as "pumpkin-coloured cathedral hands that have changed with time" and notes that while the watch exhibits a trench-style design, it was not used for military purposes, marketing it as a dress watch.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial with black outlined Arabic hour numerals, minute track, and sub-seconds dial at 6 o'clock.”
  • “Lumed or patinated cathedral-style hour and minute hands.”
  • “Crystal Plexiglass”
  • “Sitting underneath the shatterproof plexiglass is a clear white enamel dial”
  • “Finishing off with the beautiful pumpkin-coloured cathedral hands that have changed with time to give it that vintage look.”

Movement and Seller Operational Notes

Internal movement details are not visually documented in the available photograph. The listing specifies a manual-wind mechanical movement with 15 jewels, while reporting the calibre, model reference, and power reserve as "Unknown".

Regarding mechanical condition, the seller explicitly notes that the watch "has not been serviced upon its arrival to us" and is offered "sold as seen and running" with no warranty included unless a service is purchased for an extra charge.

Evidence for this section
  • “Calibre Unknown”
  • “Jewels 15”
  • “Movement Type Mechanical”
  • “Winding Manual”
  • “This being said it has not been serviced upon its arrival to us.”
  • “Otherwise, it is sold as seen and running.”

Open research questions

  • What specific calibre and movement maker marks are visible on the movement plates once opened?
  • Can direct photographic inspection of the inside caseback verify the Glasgow import mark, the sponsor/importer mark, and the exact year letter?
  • Is the dial genuine vitreous enamel or painted enamel/metal, and are there concealed hairline fractures under the bezel?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for J.W. Benson Sub Seconds Cushion/Square Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case materialSterling Silver“Case Sterling Silver”
Date of issue1934-1935“Date of Issue 1934-1935”
Import markFF import mark and K Date Hallmark“FF import mark and K Date Hallmark on the inside caseback”
Jewel count15 Jewels“Jewels 15”
Width32mm“Width 32mm”
Lug height37mm“Lug Height 37mm”
CalibreUnknown“Calibre Unknown”
WarrantyNone“Warranty None”

Visible details

  • Cushion-shaped square metallic case fitted with wire-style lugs.
  • White dial with black outlined Arabic hour numerals, minute track, and sub-seconds dial at 6 o'clock.
  • Lumed or patinated cathedral-style hour and minute hands.
  • Mounted on a dark leather strap on the wrist.

Research qualifications

  • Hallmarks, caseback interior, and movement are not visible in the provided photograph.
  • Seller notes the movement has not been serviced upon arrival.

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

Consulted source

J.W. Benson Watch Co. - Trench Style - Sub Seconds - Square Case - Gla – Vintage Watch Specialist

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 4b89c47930

Terms in this record

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

Other dress watch records