This extremely attractive late 19th century miniature carriage clock is of very high quality, enhanced by its rich blue enamel dial and side panels decorated with painted cherubs, foliage and gilt accents. Furthermore, it is accompanied by the original travelling case and key, both of which are stamped with the same number as the clock.

Although made in France, the back plate is punched with J. W. Benson’s mark showing that is 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 or Russia.

A delightful miniature timepiece which will appeal equally to the serious carriage clock collector or those who simply love beautiful objects.

J. W. Benson
One of the most famous British jewellery, 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 jewellers, Garrard & Co. Ltd.