Hansons Auctioneers and Valuers
Lot 122
A George III Royal Navy Battle of Trafalgar interest, silver pair case pocket watch, comprising a signed Charles Bennett cream enamel dial with numeral indices, outer chapter ring, case apporox 42mm, movement marked Geo Edmonds London, movement number 3996, case marked London 1788, with outer case also marked London 1788, along with service papers to case, together with a gilt metal fob chain, ley and agate gold set seal, 'Si Tu Ne Changes Je Ne Tourne' translates to 'If you do not change I will turn' with wax seal print and wooden case Provenance: nestled within the silver outer case is a late 19th century handwritten note, which reads: ‘This watch belonged to my Gt Grandfather, Capt. Charles Bennett who was on the Tonnant at Trafalgar. The seal was given him by a French Officer on Algesiras. James H Watts 1897’. According to historical records, there was a Lieutenant Charles Bennett on HMS Tonnant during the Battle of Trafalgar. Tonnant captured the 74 gun frigate, Algesiras during the battle, losing 26 officers and men, and 50 officers and men wounded. Lt Bennett was the officer in charge of the ‘prize’, and with 50 men under his command, he at one point held around 270 French officers and men as prisoners. When the note refers to a ‘Capt Charles Bennett’ it’s assumed that this was a rank that he held later in his career, post Trafalgar era. general condition: chip to dial Note: regarding watches/pocket watches please note movements untested, functionality untested, for more information request a condition report with specific questions or please view in person
