A gift to Sir Winston Churchill - A Sir John Bennett of 65 Cheapside LONDON " Maker to the Royal Observatory" Minute repeating full hunter pocket watch believed to be a gift to Sir Winston Churchill from H. H Asquith in 1905 for "crossing the floor" in 1904.

The Sir John Bennett full hunter pocket watch features a keyless wound movement and a minute repeater complication in a yellow metal case stamped 18C with Swiss domestic hallmarks of the period running between 1880-1934 for 18ct gold. The case measures W:53.26 x D:14.84mm with a white enamel dial and seconds subdial, the central spade and whip hands are gold with the blued seconds hand, currently covered with acrylic glass.

Engraving on the outer front case: The period correct Churchill Coat of Arms/Armorial.

Notes on the Garter: The engraved coat of Arms is without the order of the Garter honour, which was not bestowed until 1953.

Inner front case number: 131490

Rear inner case engraving: "To Winston with gratitude H. H. Asquith Xmas 1905"

Inner Rear case back engraving:

Maker to the Royal Observatory

Sir John Bennett

65 Cheapside

London

Purchase History: Purchased in good faith from Hennell LTD London on the 14th of October 1983 (Receipt included) by the Rt. Hon. The Earl of Enniskillen for £3,000.

Also included in the sale is a note from The Earl of Enniskillen, Florence Court Enniskillen, N. Ireland. Stating the pocket watch was a gift from his wife Nancy on his 65th birthday.

Also included in the sale is a note from Nancy, Dowager Countess of Enniskillen when gifting the watch to a family member on the 6th of August 1997.

Extract from the note: " I assure you it gives me the greatest pleasure to give you that watch of Davids - given to Winston Churchill in affection and gratitude when he crossed the floor... You have a fine sense of history and are not infrequently in the Lords". Referring to the House Of Lords Westminster.

Further notes on the item:

Hennell LTD London: In 1736, silversmith David Hennell founded the renowned firm of Hennell. Over the years, the company grew steadily into one of London's oldest silversmithing and jewellery manufacturers. A silver tea service for HMS Victory was one of the many notable commissions they received from Admiral Lord Nelson in 1799. The business was frequented by European Royalty, including Queen Victoria and King George V.

It's worth mentioning that The Duke of Westminster was a Director of Hennell London at the time of the watch purchase in 1983.

Condition Report
The watch appears to be in good working order, no long-term tests have been performed and accuracy cannot be guaranteed, a full service is advised on all watches and pocket watches once purchased.

The watch chimes accurately but has not been tested fully

Surface scratches & wear consistent with age
There are some deeper scratches on the front and inside the case
Glass is intact

The dial is free from major cracks

The case back and front close correctly and tightly 


The online condition report may not mention mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome.
Watches with water-resistant cases may have been opened to examine movements, but no warranties are given regarding their water resistance.

It is also important to note that we cannot guarantee the authenticity or originality of individual components, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets, and wrist bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration may have changed the original components. Also, we cannot guarantee the authenticity or originality of any engraving or re-engraving on watch cases, case backs, bracelets, straps or internal movements