Founded in the reign of King George II, British clock and watchmaker Sir John Bennett started his career in the 1840s at No, 65 Cheapside London. A frontier of his time, John Bennett was a frequent supplier to the English Royal Household by the likes of her Majesty Queen Victoria and the Royal Observatory for his high quality timing instruments such as clocks and pocket watches. Sought after with strong demand for excellence, Bennett was one of England’s first watchmakers to support mass production, and as a savvy business man Bennett surely knews how to curate the best of the best for his clients. Just to name drop a few of his collaborators, all best craftsmen of that era, he worked with renowned casemaker Fred Thoms (FT sponsor’s mark) and Frederick Willis enamel dial maker. Bennett often sourced high quality Swiss ébauche, one of which is none other than Audemars Piguet.

The present keyless yellow gold case features a theif proof swivel bow by Fred Thoms, its classical Roman numerals white enamel dial is further preserved in a wonderful condition. This clock watch incorporates minute repeating with both grand and petite sonnerie striking, and the facility to silence the striking. A seasoned collector with attention to details will notice its slight off-white dial, known as the “Venetian tint” by the skilled hands of T. J. Willis.

Featuring bi-metallic compensation balance, blued-steel spiral spring with double terminal curve and regulator set with diamond endstone, the three-quarter plate movement could possibly be an unsigned Audemars Piguet ébauche as they were one of the major high quality movement supplier of the Genre Anglaises era.

Bestowed with a polychrome enamel Osborn Family coat of arms as well as the signature of George Osborn in blue champlevé enamel on its cuvettes, one can understand this was possibly a bespoke timepiece for the Osborn family.