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Very Rare Mint Silver Silver Benson Traveller / Explorer Pocket Watch 1902
Estimated price for orientation: 1 895 $
Category: Other Watches
Class:
Description Condition: Pre-owned: An item that has been used or worn previously. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition
SUMMARY:
A near immaculate and very rare English high-grade 17 jewelled keyless pocket watch, fully serviced, overhauled and keeping good time and guaranteed. The watch is fully signed and with movement number 32384 and made by James Wilson Benson of London. The watch no doubt commisioned to the specification set by the Royal Geographical Society for use on one of many of their expeditions to areas where severe climatic conditions were found, such as the Arctic and Antartic regions and deserts. The watch is decribed as a "30-hour Explorers' and Travellers' Watertight Watch", (see also ).English Explorer watches were made in very small quantities and it has been noted that their value has increased dramatically in recent years as collectors have found just how rare they are and also how finely made. This grade of watch represents the near ultimate English watch for every-day use in very aggressive conditions, only surpassed by those with Karrusels or Tourbillions. The majority of these watches were commissioned by the Royal Geographical Society for use on expeditions.The firms of Usher & Cole, Frodsham, S. Smith & Sons, Dent and Benson made the majority of these watches. They are found with either reverse fusee and power reserve and free-sprung or with going barrel and fully jewelled train and also free-sprung. Searching the RGS web-site for further information on the specification for watches used on their expeditions was not successful. No doubt they have the relevant specification in their records and it is well worth searching for this.The available literature: The Camerer Cuss Book of Antique Watches, page 293; the NAWCC Bulletin, February 1991, page 48 and Beobachtungsuhren by Norbert Eber, page 176.See also for example Scotts polar watch : . A 30-hour Explorers' and Travellers' Watertight Watch made to the specifications of the Royal Geographical Society. Accurate watches were important to navigators in unexplored areas of the world, so they could work out their position accurately. The pocket watch is inscribed on the back: 'Presented to Comr. R.F. Scott by S. Smith & Sons. 9 Strand London. This watch having been his never failing companion during his voyage on the Discovery 1901-1905'. This watch is located at the National Maritime Museum.For similar watches, see the "Pieces of Time" web-site and a more recent find in the USA, bogoff.com/pocket/5506 We are a Platinium eBay Power-Seller, so please bid with confidence, we give our email and contact telephone number below, so do feel free to contact us to discuss any watches we have available. You can also visit our Website at where there is a wide variety of fine antique & vintages watches. THE DIAL: 100% mint, the white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, with subsidary seconds and in very bright condition with no chips or hairlines. The dial with blue steel spade hands. Diameter is 52 mm. The crystal is in excellent condition. THE MOVEMENT: 100% mint, with finely finished gilt plated movement and a Bosley regulator, and blue steel screws. A cut two arm bimetallic balance, with hairspring and club tooth lever escapement. The movement of good quality and with 16 jewels and signed by J W Benson. The watch ticking away on my desk as I type this, and keeping excellent time and just cleaned and overhauled by my watch-maker. The watch is much brighter and crisp than in these dark photos, which are limited by my camera and lighting equiment. The watch is in very good working order for its age. THE CASE: 100% mint, the solid nickel and gold case measures 53 mm. The front and rear covers are excellent, both are of the screw on type and close nice and tightly. The screw on front bezel and case back close onto leather lined rebates, thereby ensuring a completely dust and moisture free seal. The gilt winding crown, which also seals down onto a leather lined rebate. The hand-set can only be adjusted by un-winding the small gold-collar beneath the winding crown and then turning the crown. Originally there was some form of presentation inscription to reverse, sadly removed, when it was placed on public sale after its exhibition / explorer use. This is a high quality case, a work of art in its own right in crisp condition and of jewel like quality.The pictures show minor reflections and various dark marks, these are an artefact from the lighting and are not present in the watch case. This is a very fine period Benson Explorer watch in simply stunning condition, which is a very rare collectable item or a possible investment for the future or of course a fine gift for a birthday, anniversary, wedding etc. TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Please note, the magnified electronic images show detail much greater than would be visible with the naked eye. Any dark areas or marks on highly polished surfaces are almost certainly reflections from the camera or lighting equipment. If there are any marks or dents of any note, these will be mentioned in the description.All of our watches have been fully cleaned and serviced by a professional watch-maker unless not stated on the auction and the time-keeping carefully checked. We are happy to give a 3 month warranty on this work, which is thoroughly checked, and all watches are also given a 24 hour check prior to being shipped. We are here to help and ensure that our good eBay reputation is enhanced and this eBay shop becomes one of your favourite places to purchase watches. GUARANTEE & RETURN POLICY:
If any item received is not as described, please email us and return it, and we will repair it and return it to you free of charge. The only exception to this, is if the watch has been misused or damaged. Please note that we do not accept 3rd part watch makers repairs or invoices. In the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with any watch you have purchased, please do not hesitate to contact us and every effort will be made to ensure that any problems are resolved to your satisfaction. If there has been an error or the item is not as described then we will offer a full refund, provided that the item is returned to me, undamaged and in the condition that it was sent out. We offer a 7-day non-quibble policy on any item as stated on all of our eBay auctions. PAYMENT: We expect all auctions to be fully paid for within 7 days of the auction ending, using one of the payment methods described below. Payment Details: [1] Payment by UK Cheque, Bankers order or UK postal order into a UK bank account. [2] CHAPS transfer into a UK bank account. [3] Electronic bank transfer into a UK bank account. [4] PayPal in UK pounds to a verified address. [5] Foreign Money Orders or Bankers Draft in £UK. POSTAGE: Shipping costs are £12.50 or $25 EMS Express Data Post, with insurance up to a maximum of £3000 / $4500. Time for delivery is generally 3-5 working days. Items will be despatched the next working day after funds are received and tracking number details and date of dispatch will be provided. All parcels sent either registered or Express Data Post, are fully trackable door-to-door via this highly secure service, on the Internet, see . (The site supports English, French, Spanish, Hebrew etc, with delivery tracking to 84 countries, which is very comprehensive). We combine watches at no extra cost and with appropriate insurance for all parcels up to a maximun of 3 watches per parcel. LINKS TO OUR EBAY AUCTIONS AND MORE INFORMATION:
More comprehensive details are given on our "About Me" page on EBay, please click here, Remember to add us to your favourites list, Please do check out our other items, quality watches are added on a daily basis to our EBay shop,
Description
| Condition: | Pre-owned: An item that has been used or worn previously. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition |
SUMMARY:
A near immaculate and very rare English high-grade 17 jewelled keyless pocket watch, fully serviced, overhauled and keeping good time and guaranteed. The watch is fully signed and with movement number 32384 and made by James Wilson Benson of London. The watch no doubt commisioned to the specification set by the Royal Geographical Society for use on one of many of their expeditions to areas where severe climatic conditions were found, such as the Arctic and Antartic regions and deserts. The watch is decribed as a "30-hour Explorers' and Travellers' Watertight Watch", (see also ).English Explorer watches were made in very small quantities and it has been noted that their value has increased dramatically in recent years as collectors have found just how rare they are and also how finely made. This grade of watch represents the near ultimate English watch for every-day use in very aggressive conditions, only surpassed by those with Karrusels or Tourbillions. The majority of these watches were commissioned by the Royal Geographical Society for use on expeditions.The firms of Usher & Cole, Frodsham, S. Smith & Sons, Dent and Benson made the majority of these watches. They are found with either reverse fusee and power reserve and free-sprung or with going barrel and fully jewelled train and also free-sprung. Searching the RGS web-site for further information on the specification for watches used on their expeditions was not successful. No doubt they have the relevant specification in their records and it is well worth searching for this.The available literature: The Camerer Cuss Book of Antique Watches, page 293; the NAWCC Bulletin, February 1991, page 48 and Beobachtungsuhren by Norbert Eber, page 176.See also for example Scotts polar watch : . A 30-hour Explorers' and Travellers' Watertight Watch made to the specifications of the Royal Geographical Society. Accurate watches were important to navigators in unexplored areas of the world, so they could work out their position accurately. The pocket watch is inscribed on the back: 'Presented to Comr. R.F. Scott by S. Smith & Sons. 9 Strand London. This watch having been his never failing companion during his voyage on the Discovery 1901-1905'. This watch is located at the National Maritime Museum.For similar watches, see the "Pieces of Time" web-site and a more recent find in the USA, bogoff.com/pocket/5506 We are a Platinium eBay Power-Seller, so please bid with confidence, we give our email and contact telephone number below, so do feel free to contact us to discuss any watches we have available. You can also visit our Website at where there is a wide variety of fine antique & vintages watches. THE DIAL: 100% mint, the white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, with subsidary seconds and in very bright condition with no chips or hairlines. The dial with blue steel spade hands. Diameter is 52 mm. The crystal is in excellent condition. THE MOVEMENT: 100% mint, with finely finished gilt plated movement and a Bosley regulator, and blue steel screws. A cut two arm bimetallic balance, with hairspring and club tooth lever escapement. The movement of good quality and with 16 jewels and signed by J W Benson. The watch ticking away on my desk as I type this, and keeping excellent time and just cleaned and overhauled by my watch-maker. The watch is much brighter and crisp than in these dark photos, which are limited by my camera and lighting equiment. The watch is in very good working order for its age. THE CASE: 100% mint, the solid nickel and gold case measures 53 mm. The front and rear covers are excellent, both are of the screw on type and close nice and tightly. The screw on front bezel and case back close onto leather lined rebates, thereby ensuring a completely dust and moisture free seal. The gilt winding crown, which also seals down onto a leather lined rebate. The hand-set can only be adjusted by un-winding the small gold-collar beneath the winding crown and then turning the crown. Originally there was some form of presentation inscription to reverse, sadly removed, when it was placed on public sale after its exhibition / explorer use. This is a high quality case, a work of art in its own right in crisp condition and of jewel like quality.The pictures show minor reflections and various dark marks, these are an artefact from the lighting and are not present in the watch case. This is a very fine period Benson Explorer watch in simply stunning condition, which is a very rare collectable item or a possible investment for the future or of course a fine gift for a birthday, anniversary, wedding etc. TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Please note, the magnified electronic images show detail much greater than would be visible with the naked eye. Any dark areas or marks on highly polished surfaces are almost certainly reflections from the camera or lighting equipment. If there are any marks or dents of any note, these will be mentioned in the description.All of our watches have been fully cleaned and serviced by a professional watch-maker unless not stated on the auction and the time-keeping carefully checked. We are happy to give a 3 month warranty on this work, which is thoroughly checked, and all watches are also given a 24 hour check prior to being shipped. We are here to help and ensure that our good eBay reputation is enhanced and this eBay shop becomes one of your favourite places to purchase watches. GUARANTEE & RETURN POLICY:
If any item received is not as described, please email us and return it, and we will repair it and return it to you free of charge. The only exception to this, is if the watch has been misused or damaged. Please note that we do not accept 3rd part watch makers repairs or invoices. In the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with any watch you have purchased, please do not hesitate to contact us and every effort will be made to ensure that any problems are resolved to your satisfaction. If there has been an error or the item is not as described then we will offer a full refund, provided that the item is returned to me, undamaged and in the condition that it was sent out. We offer a 7-day non-quibble policy on any item as stated on all of our eBay auctions. PAYMENT: We expect all auctions to be fully paid for within 7 days of the auction ending, using one of the payment methods described below. Payment Details: [1] Payment by UK Cheque, Bankers order or UK postal order into a UK bank account. [2] CHAPS transfer into a UK bank account. [3] Electronic bank transfer into a UK bank account. [4] PayPal in UK pounds to a verified address. [5] Foreign Money Orders or Bankers Draft in £UK. POSTAGE: Shipping costs are £12.50 or $25 EMS Express Data Post, with insurance up to a maximum of £3000 / $4500. Time for delivery is generally 3-5 working days. Items will be despatched the next working day after funds are received and tracking number details and date of dispatch will be provided. All parcels sent either registered or Express Data Post, are fully trackable door-to-door via this highly secure service, on the Internet, see . (The site supports English, French, Spanish, Hebrew etc, with delivery tracking to 84 countries, which is very comprehensive). We combine watches at no extra cost and with appropriate insurance for all parcels up to a maximun of 3 watches per parcel. LINKS TO OUR EBAY AUCTIONS AND MORE INFORMATION:
More comprehensive details are given on our "About Me" page on EBay, please click here, Remember to add us to your favourites list, Please do check out our other items, quality watches are added on a daily basis to our EBay shop,