About J.W. Benson

J.W. BENSON (Benson) was one of London's most successful watchmakers in the late 19th century and is considered one of Britain's leading watch brands.

While many British watchmakers operated small workshops, by the late 19th century, Benson was producing a wide range of mid- to high-end watches in large factories.

In addition to being a watchmaker, Benson was also a prestigious jeweler with strong sales and brand recognition, earning Royal Warrants from Queen Victoria and other members of the British Royal Family.

Known for its distinctly British, robust, and substantial designs, the brand was highly popular in Japan, where it was favored by prominent figures in politics and business, including Jiro Shirasu and Makoto Yoshida.

Origins

1847: Founded by the Benson Brothers

The company began in 1847 when London-based watchmaker and silversmith James William Benson and Samuel Suckley Benson established a workshop called “Samuel Suckley & James William Benson.”

The Benson family appears to have been a dynasty of watchmakers dating back to 1749.

Business Expansion Through Manufacturing, Importing, and Retailing

From its inception, the company operated as an importer and retailer (jeweler), selling not only its own manufactured watches and jewelry but also imported goods.

The brothers dissolved their partnership in 1855, after which James continued the business as “J.W. Benson.”

The business expanded steadily, including participation in the 1862 International Exhibition in London. However, James William Benson died in 1878 at the age of 52, and the company was passed down to his sons.

Royal Warrants

The sons who took over the company were granted Royal Warrants by Queen Victoria in 1879.

The company also received Royal Warrants from the Prince of Wales, the Danish Royal Family, and the Russian Emperor, among others, enhancing its prestige and brand recognition.

Some Benson movements from this period bear hallmarks indicating these warrants.

However, by the late 19th century, British watchmaking faced increasing competition from Swiss and American watches. Benson gradually reduced its own watch production and focused more on manufacturing and selling jewelry.

After World War I

Factory Damage from Air Raids

The watch industry also had a military dimension, and Benson’s watch factory suffered heavy damage during the German air raids on London in 1917, the first year of World War I. As a result, the company was no longer able to manufacture its own movements.

Watchmaking Using Movements from Other Companies

However, as a prestigious jeweler, Benson continued to manufacture and sell watches under its own brand by sourcing movements from Swiss makers such as Longines, Vertex (Revue), Seamaster, and Universal.

Even after the rise of wristwatches, the company continued to sell watches with movements supplied by Swiss makers and British manufacturer Smith Ltd. on an OEM basis.

J.W. Benson continued until 1973, when it was acquired by GARRARD, another prestigious British jeweler.

Summary

While Switzerland is strongly associated with watchmaking today, Britain was the world leader until the first half of the 19th century.
It is said that many watchmakers existed at the time, producing more than half of the world’s watches.

Benson was a watchmaker that continued to produce British watches until the very end, even as British watchmaking was overtaken by mass production in Switzerland and America following the Industrial Revolution.