J W Benson London Tropical wristwatch by Smiths in a Dennison Aquatite case of approx 33 mm in diameter with a chromed case top and steel screw in back. The thickness is 10.8mm. Fitted with a 16mm tan buffalo leather strap. In excellent working order fully overhauled and a good timekeeper. This example has a 16 jewel movement with the sprung case ring and the rhodium or nickel colour balance . These c series JW Benson watches were made both before and after 1953.
Benson were selling a Tropical pattern wristwatch with Swiss movement prior to the use of the English watch by Smiths. I am often asked what makes this Smiths Benson Tropical. Because the seals vary it could only be that Benson were still using the advertising advantage that the Tropical name had, unless they were using some sort of waterproof testing and labelling successful watches as such.
Most of these are Tropical or London, this is the three line signature version with both.
In the pictures on a wrist for size comparison with modern watches that you may have this Smiths wristwatch is modelled on a standard european medium sized wrist of 7 1/4 inches, the model is just under 6 ft tall and well built.
