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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Sir John Bennett silver pocket watch with original fitted case and Albert chain

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch dates to 1903 according to London hallmarks reported on its silver case, which the seller states was manufactured by Tomas Richard Arnott. The seller records that the watch is fitted with a jewelled movement inscribed 'Sir John Bennett Ltd 65 Cheapside London' and stamped with stock number 39356, matching an interior case stamp. The white enamel dial features Roman hour numerals, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The watch is accompanied by a dark red fitted presentation box lined with blue velvet bearing Sir John Bennett's gilded crest, alongside a silver Albert curb chain and fob.

Front view of the open-face pocket watch resting in its fitted presentation box alongside the Albert chain
Front view of the open-face pocket watch resting in its fitted presentation box alongside the Albert chain — Spencer James Antiques / Antiques Atlas. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiques-atlas.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Sir John Bennett
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
as703a581 / 987
Source-reported date
1903
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
39356

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

Visual Description and Dial Display

The timepiece is an open-face pocket watch featuring a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, an outer minute track, and blued steel hands. A subsidiary 60-second register is situated at the 6 o'clock position. The seller notes that the maker's full name is marked on the dial and reports no cracks or chips on the surface.

At the 12 o'clock position, the watch is fitted with a gold-toned winding crown and an arched silver bow. The seller describes the crystal as a bevelled-edge watch glass.

Evidence for this section
  • “Open-face dial with black Roman numerals, minute track, blued steel spade hands, and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.”
  • “White enamel face black numerals and blue steel hands , small 60 second hand dial , full name on the dial”
  • “Ribbed gold-tone winding crown and silver bow at 12 o'clock.”
  • “Gold coloured winding button and very strong top bow with hallmarks”
  • “original bezelled edge watch glass all fine”

Case Construction and Movement Details

According to the seller, the silver case was made by Tomas Richard Arnott and bears full hallmarks for London, 1903. The dealer also states that the case features an inner dust protector, a gold-coloured hinge, and period engraved initials.

The movement is not visible in the primary photograph and is described exclusively through dealer claims. The seller states it is a jewelled movement inscribed 'Sir John Bennett Ltd 65 Cheapside London' and stamped with stock number 39356, matching a stamp reported inside the silver case.

Evidence for this section
  • “Super silver case with full hallmarks for London 1903 made by Tomas Richard Arnott”
  • “inner dust protector , Gold coloured case hinge”
  • “Stamped on the movement “ Sir John Bennett Ltd 65 Cheapside London””
  • “Stock Number 39356 this is also stamped on the inside of the silver case”

Presentation Box and Albert Chain

The watch is shown in a fitted presentation box with a dark red exterior and a blue velvet interior lining. The seller records that the inner lid is stamped in gold lettering with Sir John Bennett's crest, with an embossed logo on the outside front and a label on the back.

Accompanying the watch is a curb-link silver Albert chain featuring a T-bar, swivel fastener, and a circular fob. The seller dates the 14-inch, 51-gram chain to circa 1894 with hallmarked links, fastener, and T-bar, while estimating the attached fob to be later, circa 1910.

Evidence for this section
  • “Presented in a red exterior presentation box lined with blue velvet and stamped on the inner lid with Sir John Bennett's gilded crest.”
  • “Very rare to find an original Sir John Bennett watch box with embossed logo on the front and stamped in gold letters inside ",the logo is beautiful” , also with label on the back inside the case blue velvet , out case in dark red colour”
  • “Attached to the watch late Victorian Silver Albert chain and silver fob weight 51 grams 14 “ long , dated to c1894 , each link,T-Bar and fastener all hallmarked , fob later in date c1910”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmark symbols, sponsor mark, and date letter are present on the silver case and bow to verify the 1903 London attribution?
  • What specific monogram or initials are engraved on the back of the silver pocket watch case?
  • What specific Swiss or English ebauche calibre, jewel count, and escapement design are used in the movement marked 'Sir John Bennett Ltd'?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Sir John Bennett silver pocket watch with original fitted case and Albert chain
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Stock Number39356“Stock Number 39356 this is also stamped on the inside of the silver case”
Movement InscriptionSir John Bennett Ltd 65 Cheapside London“Stamped on the movement “ Sir John Bennett Ltd 65 Cheapside London””
Case Maker and HallmarksTomas Richard Arnott, London 1903“Super silver case with full hallmarks for London 1903 made by Tomas Richard Arnott”
Dial FeaturesWhite enamel face, black numerals and blue steel hands, small 60 second hand dial“White enamel face black numerals and blue steel hands , small 60 second hand dial”
Albert Chain Dimensions and Weight14 inches, 51 grams“weight 51 grams 14 “ long”
Exterior EngravingPeriod engraved initials reported by seller“Beautiful period engraved initials of the case”
Dial ConditionNo chips or cracks reported by seller“No cracks or chips on the dial”

Visible details

  • Open-face dial with black Roman numerals, minute track, blued steel spade hands, and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.
  • Ribbed gold-tone winding crown and silver bow at 12 o'clock.
  • Presented in a red exterior presentation box lined with blue velvet and stamped on the inner lid with Sir John Bennett's gilded crest.
  • Accompanied by a curb-link silver Albert chain featuring a T-bar and a circular medallion fob.

Research qualifications

  • Movement and interior case hallmarks are not visible in the photograph and rely entirely on dealer description.
  • The Albert chain and fob are dated separately by the dealer to c. 1894 and c. 1910 respectively, representing composite accessories.

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

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - Sir John Bennett Pocket Watch Original Case 1903 as703a581 / 987

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 4adee5af61

Terms in this record

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

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