Newsletter - June 2026
The Victorian Pocket Watch That Sparked Our Curiosity
We had an interesting piece through the workshop this month, a rather ordinary silver pocket watch with a very out of the ordinary engraved inscription.
The watch itself is a lovely example of late Victorian English watchmaking. J.W. Benson was one of London’s most respected makers, operating from Ludgate Hill and supplying watches known for their quality and reliability. “The Ludgate” was one of Benson’s higher-grade pocket watch lines and remains highly collectable today.
What really caught our attention, however, was the inscription hidden inside the case:
“Presented to Sergeant J. Vince by the Band of the 1st Battalion South Stafford Regiment, as a mark of esteem, on his departure from the regiment.”
It immediately raises questions. Who was Sergeant Vince? Where had he served? What had he done to earn such obvious respect from his fellow soldiers?
Sadly, despite some research, we’ve so far been unable to positively identify him. Records from the period can be frustratingly incomplete. However, there is a strong possibility that he served during the regiment’s Egyptian campaign of the early 1880s. The 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment was deployed to Egypt in 1882 and later took part in operations in Sudan during the attempt to relieve General Gordon at Khartoum.
Even without knowing Sergeant Vince’s full story, the watch still offers a fascinating glimpse into Victorian military life. Presentation watches like this were often gifted to respected NCOs, bandmasters, or long-serving soldiers when they left a regiment or retired from service. Unlike medals, these pieces were deeply personal, purchased by friends and colleagues as genuine tokens of appreciation.
It’s easy to forget that many antiques were once treasured everyday possessions connected to real people and real moments in history. A simple engraved pocket watch can quietly carry stories of military service, friendship, travel, and the wider British Empire.
That’s one of the things we enjoy most about handling antique watches and silver. Beyond the mechanics and craftsmanship, there is often a human story waiting to be discovered, even if, occasionally, part of the mystery remains unsolved.
What's New This Month...
Silk Pocket Watch Insert
A charming antique embroidered silk pocket watch insert or sampler dating to the early 19th century, circa 1830s. These decorative silk inserts were commonly found inside pair-cased pocket watches, helping to protect the inner case while also adding a touch of personal decoration. This example features finely hand-embroidered floral decoration in coloured silk threads, with a wonderfully delicate folk-art appearance. A lovely survivor from the Georgian / early Victorian period.
Longines Wristwatch c.1977
This beautifully preserved example features a clean and elegant design, with a brushed silver dial and baton hour markers.
The watch is powered by the reliable Longines calibre 6952 manual wind movement and is accompanied by its original Longines box and stamped guarantee booklet, adding to its collectability. A timeless, understated piece from a highly regarded Swiss maker.
Norwegian Silver Pepper Pots
A charming and unusual pair of antique silver pepper pots in a distinctive Viking horn design, each raised on detailed feet with ornate scrolling decoration throughout. Both are hallmarked for 830 standard silver and attributed to the well-known Norwegian silversmith Magnus Aase. A lovely decorative and functional pair with strong visual appeal.
We specialise in antiques, silver, jewellery and watches, with a particular passion for vintage and historic pieces. We enjoy discovering, restoring and preserving items with character and history.
We’re always happy to chat about antiques or watches, and to offer honest, straightforward advice.