27,140 CHF
“Perpetual Calendar Minute- Repeater Chronograph with Central Minute Register” J. W. Benson, Ludgate Hill, London, No. 1886. Made for the Italian market, the case with London hallmarks for 1883 – 1884. Very fine and very rare, large, astronomic, minute-repeating 18K yellow gold keyless pocket watch with perpetual calendar, moon phase, lunar calendar and chronograph with progressive central minute register hand. Three-body, massive, “bassine”, by Harrison Mills Frodsham (master mark), engraved with anthemions, flowers and foliage, thief-proof swivel bow (lacking cuvette). White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, concentric fifths of a second divisions and Arabic five second numerals, subsidiary seconds, apertures for the date, days of the week, months and moon phase with lunar calendar on the edge. Blued steel “spade” hands. 48 mm., 21’’’, frosted gilt, 19 jewels, lateral lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, diamond endstone, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator, setting levers beneath the bezel, repeating on gongs activated by a slide on the band. Dial and movement signed, case with master mark “HMF”. Diam. 60 mm. Notes J.W. Benson Ltd. This firm, who claimed in their publicity to have been established in 1749, although not as well known as such firms as Frodsham or Dent, were nonetheless one of the leading makers of high quality watches in later 19th century London. James William Benson, who in 1865 described himself
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2006-11-12
