I think I may have struck lucky this lunchtime, having nipped out from work to the nearest charity shop to look for CDs. When I went to pay I spotted these two amongst the fashion watches in the cabinet.
Both watches run strongly. I know little about the Benson apart from what I’ve read online saying that it was manufactured by Smiths and the supposed link to the Everest expedition of 1953.
The Seiko is more my style and could well become a daily wearer once I find a suitable strap. Unfortunately the serial number has worn off the case back so I can’t easily date it.
If anyone has any info on either one I’d be grateful.
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iirc the Sea Horse line had been going since the mid sixties. Originally a bit plainer looking. The Sportsmatic and Calendar bits I think make it a tiny bit later, e.g. 1967. I can't read in the photo - does it say 66 after the made in Japan, or something else? The 66 movements had been going since the early 60s, but I don't know anything about variations.
Jackpot indeed, yep that's a Smiths movement Benson. Well worth asking about that one over on the MWR forum if you don't get much info here as there are some real experts on those over there.
The Seiko is a beauty aswell, I've only ever seen crappy old Lorus and Reflex the times I've looked in charity shops. Great find!
Two very different fellows there. The Sea Horse script is wonderful.
Very lucky finds indeed.
Originally Posted by EdHughes1
I think I may have struck lucky this lunchtime, having nipped out from work to the nearest charity shop to look for CDs. When I went to pay I spotted these two amongst the fashion watches in the cabinet.
Both watches run strongly. I know little about the Benson apart from what I’ve read online saying that it was manufactured by Smiths and the supposed link to the Everest expedition of 1953.
The Seiko is more my style and could well become a daily wearer once I find a suitable strap. Unfortunately the serial number has worn off the case back so I can’t easily date it.
If anyone has any info on either one I’d be grateful.
These are great watches! I wish my charity shop was that good
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Excellent work, I really like that Seiko!
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Excellent work, I really like that Seiko!
"A man of little significance"
I don't know anything about either of them, but that Seiko is really rather nice.
I often trawl charity shops for CDs and vinyl, will have to see if there are any watches next time!
I use my local charity shop as a CD library, I buy a few, then donate them back a few weeks later and repeat over again.
In fifteen ten years they have never had one single watch worth looking at!....so very well done Sir
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It’s across the road from work and I pop in most weeks, I have done for 2 or 3 years but have never seen anything like these before.
Any idea what the lug width is likely to be on the Seiko. I’m not at home now so can’t measure it. Would it be 18mm, or less?
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That's a lovely little Seiko...cracking find.
The JW Benson is a good watch. Looks like it could be a Dennison Aquatite case, these were regarded as 'tropical' due to an extra method of sealing around the crystal for more humid climes, hence the name on the dial. If it is an Aquatite these had plated mid cases and stainless steel backs and the plating is very often badly worn/brassed so that looks to be a cracker. It will probably have a 15 (or 16) jewel SmithS 12.15(16) movement in it. Here is a pic of a period catalogue from Bensons (kindly posted on another forum by a member there), yours is probably slightly later than this catalogue looking at the design of the sub dial. It is basically the same case and movement as Hillary's watch worn on the ascent but SmithS produced hundreds of thousands of the 12.15 and Dennison tens of thousands of Aquatites so too much shouldn't be read into that really.
Congrats on your great finds.
Edit: On closer inspection it's not an Aquatite case but it could still be made by Dennison.
See one the same on sale here https://www.smithswatches.com/collec...-case-c-1953-9
Last edited by size11s; 4th June 2019 at 20:58.
Thanks for the info. Cripes that one linked is £950!
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Most welcome. It is amusing that the word "Tropical" is bandied about to describe discoloured dials as an asset, and yours has it right there writ large :)
Mr Merren's prices his watches at the top end as they come serviced and warrantied, the one he has for sale is in pretty lovely nick too.
Seiko is nice. The seahorse logos on the caseback are really lightly applied, I have a NOS seahorse case here and you can see why they wear so easily.
1938 ad for the tropical, yours looks to be early to mid 1950's.
It's a slightly different case, look how the lugs join, and probably 16mm lugs rather than the 18 on Hillary's but still a dream find for many of us.The JW Benson is a good watch. Looks like it could be a Dennison Aquatite case, these were regarded as 'tropical' due to an extra method of sealing around the crystal for more humid climes, hence the name on the dial. If it is an Aquatite these had plated mid cases and stainless steel backs and the plating is very often badly worn/brassed so that looks to be a cracker. It will probably have a 15 (or 16) jewel SmithS 12.15(16) movement in it. Here is a pic of a period catalogue from Bensons (kindly posted on another forum by a member there), yours is probably slightly later than this catalogue looking at the design of the sub dial. It is basically the same case and movement as Hillary's watch worn on the ascent but SmithS produced hundreds of thousands of the 12.15 and Dennison tens of thousands of Aquatites so too much shouldn't be read into that really.
Congrats on your great finds.
Edit: On closer inspection it's not an Aquatite case but it could still be made by Dennison.
See one the same on sale here https://www.smithswatches.com/collec...-case-c-1953-9
Here's the difference between the early (18mm) and late (16mm) in the equivalent Smiths version:
Last edited by M4tt; 4th June 2019 at 22:29.
Top end is an understatement, even considering service and warranty. I sometimes wonder if he actually wants to sell any watches. Rollinix tends to be more realistic.
Excellent finds!
I agree about Mr Merrens' pricing, I am sure there must be some negotiation/flexibility goes on with most of his sales. I think he also sells his reputation as a very established SmithS specialist, which is fair enough. Rollinix certainly doesn't have that.
Given the price of those other JW Benson watches, and being realistic, if a chap was minded to sell or trade the one at the top of this thread, what might a ball-park value be, if that’s not too vulgar a question to ask.
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I would say it depends on what You gave the charity shop for it? If that isn’t too vulgar a question to ask?s
That benson is lovely. Good find!
I wouldn't get overly excited! Whack it on eBay and see what it makes.
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