12gauge82 Posted January 14, 2017 Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 Fist of all an apology, at this rate we're going to need a separate watch thread. I've been given a pocket watch and wondered if there was anyone on here in the know, it's manufactured by a JW Benson and is marked keyless ludgate watch, it is definitely manufactured in 1884 or earlier and has a long 18ct (I belive) chain. Ive googled it and cant find anything exactly the same, for instance the back has a xiagonale cross and roman numerals engraved although its hard to see as the back is worn. If anyone has any further information about this watch I'd be very interested, can email photos ect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 14, 2017 Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 JW benson was a London company, and did have a ludgate movement named after they moved to ludgate hill. I also have a JW benson pocket watch! But a much later model being a bought in Swiss movement! Here is a link that may help http://www.horologist.co.uk/benson.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 14, 2017 Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 Also, the watch case was often a choice made by the buyer, rather than the company! So there are a lot of unusual cases were it may be difficult to find another like it with a particular movement. I have a Roskopf in a beautiful heavy engraved German silver case! Facet sides and engravings of horse and rider! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12gauge82 Posted January 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 That's great, really appreciated, i belive the watch was my great/great grandfathers give or take a few anyway and looking at the engraving was presented to him for his service as a chaplain, so just trying to find as much out about it as possible for when I hand it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 14, 2017 Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 If it's still working, before handing it on! It may be worth sending it for a clean and service. It would be a shame to have it survive this long, only to have it break down due to lack of a service. I will try and remember to get a pic of mine for you when I get home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12gauge82 Posted January 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 Yes it still winds and works, and the internals are immaculate even if the outer case and glass are worn, I will put it in somewhere. Thanks once again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 14, 2017 Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12gauge82 Posted January 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 Wow that's a beautiful watch, mines not that pretty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 (edited) Wow that's a beautiful watch, mines not that prettyThe one on the right with the deep engraving is a Roskopf style pocket watch! They were made so the everyday man could afford a watch! But judging by the case, would say it wasn't run of the mill. And was infact more than the bog standard. It runs, but could do with a service. I had cleaned and lubed it after procuring it from an antique fair. I was pleasantly surprised when it sprung into life! It also needs a minute hand and crystal. The Benson needs a balance staff, and again a minute hand. I have quite a collection of watches and movements. Including some old fusee movements I plan to get working, and find cases for. Edited January 15, 2017 by Lord Geordie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 Nice watches, I have a gold half hunter from 1933. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 Nice watches, I have a gold half hunter from 1933. Love the Demi (half) hunter style! I often see the movements removed from their matching case and sold in an open faced generic case, as someone has scrapped the original case for the gold I have a couple of French cylinder movement watches "ladies" and one is dated to 1882. And some old wrist watches too inc a trench watch. When I get more time to myself, I had planned to take up restorations as a hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 Tracing Benson watches is difficult as all their records were destroyed in world war one. You say the chain (Albert) is possibly 18ct, is the case also 18ct?, could also be rolled gold, is the watch running? If its silver and a Ludgate the cost of any repairs will far outweigh the value of the watch (apart from sentimental value) these watches were sold by the thousands and were one of the most presented watches of the time. I used to buy and repair old pocket watches as a hobby but my eyes are not what they used to-be, you need 20-20 vision and a steady hand for this work. If you do need spares then your best bet is eBay as a lot of these parts were interchangeable, if you need to have a balance staff made it will cost around £150 to £200. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12gauge82 Posted January 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 Tracing Benson watches is difficult as all their records were destroyed in world war one. You say the chain (Albert) is possibly 18ct, is the case also 18ct?, could also be rolled gold, is the watch running? If its silver and a Ludgate the cost of any repairs will far outweigh the value of the watch (apart from sentimental value) these watches were sold by the thousands and were one of the most presented watches of the time. I used to buy and repair old pocket watches as a hobby but my eyes are not what they used to-be, you need 20-20 vision and a steady hand for this work. If you do need spares then your best bet is eBay as a lot of these parts were interchangeable, if you need to have a balance staff made it will cost around £150 to £200. Yes case is also 18ct, and the watch is still running.Interesting information and thank you very much for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 That's very early for a keyless watch as they only started making them in 1885/1886. If you can see a serial number on the case and the movement and they match, you have a very nice watch and worth a few bob. Have a read of this article it will give you some help on the maker and your watch the "Ludgate"..........http://oxfordpocketwatches.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/benson-field-ludgate-and-bank-of.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12gauge82 Posted January 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 The watch was engraved for my great, great grandfather in 1884 thanking him for his services and has been in the family ever since, it's definitely interesting that it appears to have been manufactured before the known manufacture date for this model, definitely not something I'd ever sell anyway, thank you once again for the info and link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 Tracing Benson watches is difficult as all their records were destroyed in world war one. You say the chain (Albert) is possibly 18ct, is the case also 18ct?, could also be rolled gold, is the watch running? If its silver and a Ludgate the cost of any repairs will far outweigh the value of the watch (apart from sentimental value) these watches were sold by the thousands and were one of the most presented watches of the time. I used to buy and repair old pocket watches as a hobby but my eyes are not what they used to-be, you need 20-20 vision and a steady hand for this work. If you do need spares then your best bet is eBay as a lot of these parts were interchangeable, if you need to have a balance staff made it will cost around £150 to £200. That's the beauty of the Swiss mass produced movements! Parts like you say are interchangeable and there are good sticks still for many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klatuveradanikto Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 (edited) Here's mine can't help with any info on the thread just like to show my watch off lol, It's a 1927 HERBERT WOLF FULL HUNTER WITH A SWISS MOVEMENT AND A DENNISON CASE IN 9CT GOLD Edited January 16, 2017 by klatuveradanikto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 That's the beauty of the Swiss mass produced movements! Parts like you say are interchangeable and there are good sticks still for many. Yep, I have boxes of movements from the well known makers like Benson, Waltham, Elgin, Etc, which I cannibalise for parts, its surprising just how many of these parts were interchangeable. one thing with pocket watches is the amount of variation in glass/crystal size and form, I was lucky as some years back I knew an old watch repairer that was retiring and I bought a lot of stuff from him including a box full watch crystals. As you said there were lots of pocket watches broken down for scrap, the worst time was around 1979/80 when gold and silver went sky high over night, a friend of mine was in the jewellery trade and he was buying them by the bucket load, I manage to buy a few from him for scrap value, the one below is a Verge Fusee, full hunter dated 1848. you can see the Fusee barrel and chain on the left and the Verge contrate wheel (crown) on the right, after a bit of work I now have it working but these movements were very poor time keepers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Here's mine can't help with any info on the thread just like to show my watch off lol, It's a 1927 HERBERT WOLF FULL HUNTER WITH A SWISS MOVEMENT AND A DENNISON CASE IN 9CT GOLD Very nice watch, do you know how many jewels? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Yep, I have boxes of movements from the well known makers like Benson, Waltham, Elgin, Etc, which I cannibalise for parts, its surprising just how many of these parts were interchangeable. one thing with pocket watches is the amount of variation in glass/crystal size and form, I was lucky as some years back I knew an old watch repairer that was retiring and I bought a lot of stuff from him including a box full watch crystals. As you said there were lots of pocket watches broken down for scrap, the worst time was around 1979/80 when gold and silver went sky high over night, a friend of mine was in the jewellery trade and he was buying them by the bucket load, I manage to buy a few from him for scrap value, the one below is a Verge Fusee, full hunter dated 1848. you can see the Fusee barrel and chain on the left and the Verge contrate wheel (crown) on the right, after a bit of work I now have it working but these movements were very poor time keepers. I love the verge fusee movements! Some are exquisite! And I can forgive the little slips in time keeping for such beauty. I know what you mean about the crystals! There are indeed many styles! I broke a few in the past trying to squeeze them in, until I learned about the correct measuring process. Once I am sorted on the property ladder, and can spare a little cash I plan trying to source the staff or indeed the complete balance wheel and staff assembly to repair two of my watches. For now they can quietly wait Here's mine can't help with any info on the thread just like to show my watch off lol, It's a 1927 HERBERT WOLF FULL HUNTER WITH A SWISS MOVEMENT AND A DENNISON CASE IN 9CT GOLD Very nice and even the fob too Here's mine can't help with any info on the thread just like to show my watch off lol, It's a 1927 HERBERT WOLF FULL HUNTER WITH A SWISS MOVEMENT AND A DENNISON CASE IN 9CT GOLD Very nice and even the fob too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klatuveradanikto Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 I love the verge fusee movements! Some are exquisite! And I can forgive the little slips in time keeping for such beauty. I know what you mean about the crystals! There are indeed many styles! I broke a few in the past trying to squeeze them in, until I learned about the correct measuring process. Once I am sorted on the property ladder, and can spare a little cash I plan trying to source the staff or indeed the complete balance wheel and staff assembly to repair two of my watches. For now they can quietly wait Very nice and even the fob too Very nice and even the fob too Looked for ages for a fob that was'nt engraved, eventually found one and had my initials engraved on it, the chain was originally a double but i did'nt have anything for the other end so i split it sold the remainder and i use it as often as possible. Had it on a lot over xmas and new year it's a great talking point and people who appreciate a nice timepeice always comment . Don't know how many jewels the movement has but it does have them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12gauge82 Posted January 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Some beautiful watches there guys, looks adictive but I think the missus will get the hump if I take up yet another expensive hobby 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klatuveradanikto Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Some beautiful watches there guys, looks adictive but I think the missus will get the hump if I take up yet another expensive hobby Surely 1 won't hurt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Surely 1 won't hurt Depends where she lands the blow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klatuveradanikto Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Depends where she lands the blow :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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