J. W. Benson - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIX Hong Kong Saturday, November 23, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: J. W. Benson
    Year: Circa 1883
    Movement No: 2449
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, the top plate covered with an additional plate covering the chronograph work
    Dimensions: 57mm diameter
    Signed: Movement signed
    Provenance: Sotheby's London, Important Clocks, Watches, Wristwatches, Barometers and Scientific Instruments, 3rd October 1991, lot 462.
    Literature: Similar example is mentioned in the Audemars Piguet: Meisterwerke klassischer Uhrmacherkunst by Gisbert L Brunner, Christian Pfeiffer-Belli and Martin K Wehrli, p. 43-52

  • Provenance

    Sotheby's London, Important Clocks, Watches, Wristwatches, Barometers and Scientific Instruments, 3rd October 1991, lot 462.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Representing British watchmaking of the 19th century, S.S & J. W. Benson was first established in 1847 and began operating solely under J. W. Benson’s name from 1855. Part of the elite watchmakers at the time, products from the house were of the best quality. A prestigious shop located at The Steam Factory 62 & 64 Ludgate Hill London, Benson’s timepieces were also the choice of Kings and Queens. Proudly advertised and engraved on it’s movements, Benson’s timepieces were bestowed with Special warrants to Her Majesty Queen Victoria and His Royal Highness Prince of Wales. His list of elite clientele in fact extends far and wide to King of Siam, Greece, Denmark, Portugal, and even, Emperor of Japan and the Tsar of Russia. Notably, the house was awarded the highest award gold medal for improvements in English watches at The International Inventions Exhibition, and in 1885 where he unveiled the “Patent Dust and Damp Excluding Band for Watches”.

    Underneath its beautifully preserved enamel dial with Roman numerals and minutes divided into fifths is a movement of high quality and precision. An exceptionally rare feature, the jewel holes on the top plate have all been capped with a diamond through to the center wheel, and that the one for the 3rd wheel is capped with a brass plug to permit the engraving for the serial number to be complete.

    During the latter part of the 19th century, new laws were introduced in England stipulated that if a watch contained Swiss parts it was to be declared on the movement. The majority of makers merely stated “Partly Swiss” for the inclusion of Swiss calendar and repeating work. Some though used the opportunity to stamp “Swiss and English Made”, such as in this watch.

    A highly rare specimen, according to the literature in Audemars Piguet: Meisterwerke klassischer Uhrmacherkunst, there were only 4 examples with the same complication ever made between movement number 2299-2499 (batch of 200).

    The present movement features a free sprung, bi-metallic compensation balance with blued steel spiral spring with triple terminal curve, as well as diamond endstones.

    A bespoke grand complication made for the McCulloch family of Wigtonshire, Scotland, the family monogram and motto “Vi Et Animo — Strength and courage” decorates the outer case in royal blue enamel. An overall well-preserved specimen from circa 1883 dated by its London hallmark. It is cased in yellow gold crafted by Alfred Stram. He was a Swiss case maker working in London is identified by his “AS” sponsors mark. Stram was one of the most revered casemakers of the time collaborating with the best watchmakers such as Charles Frodsham, Dent and S. Smith & Son.

873

A rare and possibly unique yellow gold hunter-cased minute repeating keyless perpetual calendar split-seconds chronograph with Audemars Piguet ébauche, leap year indication, moon phases, blue champlevé enamel monogram and crest of the McCulloch Family

Circa 1883
57mm diameter
Movement signed

Estimate
HK$160,000 - 320,000 
€18,700-37,500
$20,500-41,000

Sold for HK$215,900

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2030
WatchesHK@phillips.com
 

Gertrude Wong
Head of Sale, Hong Kong
+852 2318 2045
gertrudewong@phillips.com
 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIX

Hong Kong Auction 23 - 24 November 2024