J.W. Benson Miniature Carriage Clock

Inventory Number: C2012002

Made in France circa 1890, 64 x 53 x 51mm(handle down), gilt-brass case，blue enamel dial and side panels decorated with painted cherubs, foliage, sandglass, and cornucopia, the backplate stamped J. W. Benson’s mark. A special miniature carriage clock due to its size.

It is accompanied by the original traveling case and key, both of which are stamped with the same number as the clock.

Although made in France, the backplate is punched with J. W. Benson’s mark showing that it was made especially for them. The velvet-lined interior of the travel case is gold stamped J. W. Benson, 25, Old Bond Street, London and with the Royal Warrants for the Queen, Prince of Wales and Tsar of Russia.

J. W. Benson

One of the most famous British jewelry, watch, and clock retailers, J.W. Benson was founded by Samuel Suckley Benson and James William Benson as ‘S. S. & J. W. Benson’ in 1847. They purchased the premises of established companies in London at Cornhill and Ludgate Hill, by doing so, they sometimes claimed that the business was established in 1749. The original partnership was dissolved on 27 January 1855 and James William continued in business under the name 'J. W. Benson'. James William Benson died in 1878, and his sons James, Alfred, and Arthur took over the running of the business.

J. W. Benson Ltd were official suppliers to many exalted clients, they were official watchmaker to the Admiralty, and held a number of Warrants, being watchmakers to Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales, the Tsar of Russia, and several other royal families. The company's premises were in Cornhill (1847–64), Ludgate Hill (1854-1937), Old Bond Street (1872-3), and Royal Exchange (1892-1937), and their original workshop was at 4-5 Horseshoe Court (at the rear of their Ludgate Hill premises). In 1892, J. W. Benson became a limited company. The firm of J. W. Benson Ltd continued until 1973 at which time the name was sold to the then Royal jewelers, Garrard & Co. Ltd.