SIGNED SIR JOHN BENNETT, LTD, MAKERS TO THE LATE QUEEN VICTORIA, 65 CHEAPSIDE, LONDON, MOVEMENT NO. 12'679 BY AUDEMARS PIGUET, CASE STAMPED FT FOR FREDERICK THOM AND WITH LONDON DATE LETTER FOR 1909

Sir John Bennett (1814-1897) is one of the preeminent clock and watch makers of the late 19th Century. Born in Greenwich to a watch maker, he and his brother continued in the family business upon the early death of his father. Records show John was a watch maker by the age of 16. He is well-known both for his technique skills as well as his ability to retail his watches. He opened his own shop in 1847 in Cheapside and exhibited at the London Exhibition of 1862 and at the Paris Exhibition of 1878, where he received medals.

Sir John was also a leading lecturer on horology and was known to comment on the superior quality of Swiss watch makers and referred to the fact that English watches often contained Swiss movements. The present complicated watch is a lovely example of both the best of English and Swiss watch making.