Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2009 | Page 110

life

LOCAL BUSINESS

Benzies of Cowes
The jewellery business is in the blood of

Prince of Wales (Bertie) followed by Royal

over the company and in 1998 Mr Subash

Mr Subash Lodhia, owner of Benzies of

Warrants from his mother HRH Queen

Lodhia took control with a partner. In

Cowes. Born in Africa, Mr Lodhia came to

Victoria (1885) and the King of Greece

2004 Mr Lodhia, who also has a jewellery

England to study, settled here and then

(1886).

shop in Teddington, Middlesex, took sole

moved into the family’s line of business in
1978.
Since taking over Benzies in 2004, Mr

In 1891 Simpson Benzie’s son, Mr
Herbert Simpson Benzie, joined the

control.
“I could see the potential with Benzies.

company and in 1901 Royal Warrants

It was a challenge at the time but we’ve

Lodhia has introduced many new high

from HM Queen Alexandra and HM King

been successful so far,” said Mr Lodhia

class brands including Breitling watches,

Edward were granted.

who lives in London with his wife and

Mont Blanc jewellery, watches and writing

In 1906 Simpson Benzie signed the

eleven year old daughter. He travels to the

tools and hopes to be able to stock

company over to his son Herbert, and

Cowes shop at least once, if not twice a

Cartier shortly.

in 1910 HM King George V awarded a

week and carries out all of the services on

Royal Warrant followed by another from

watches and jewellery.

A solid silver model of the yacht America
was commissioned from Mr Lodhia at

HM Queen Mary in 1912. The founder,

With the recent visits to Cowes of the

Benzies and now lives at the Royal Yacht

Simpson Benzie, died in 1915 and the

two princes, William and Harry, and their

Squadron and a silver replica of Gipsy

next and last Royal Warrant was in the

father Prince Charles’ recent visit with

Moth IV made at the shop now lives at

early 50s from HRH Duke of Edinburgh.

his wife Camilla and their uncle Prince

UKSA. Benzies also made the ornate

A silver model of the yacht Endeavour

Edward’s visit last year and the arrival of

mayoral chain for Cowes and they still

was commissioned in 1934 and in

his wife Sophie, The Countess of Wessex,

make all of the unique yachting jewellery

1936 Mr Bruce Benzie, grandson of the

last week, it seems only a matter of time

on sale in their elegant green and gold

founder, joined the company. In 1952 Mr

before there might be another Royal

fronted shop at 61 Bath Road in Cowes.

Herbert Simpson Benzie died.

Warrant for Benzies of Cowes. Benzies is

By Royal Appointment is a phrase

Mr Bruce Benzie sold control of

synonymous with Benzies of Cowes. It

the company to the Goldsmiths and

was Simpson Benzie who founded the

Silversmiths Association in 1959 and in

company, in 1862, and by 1884 the

1975 the Wedgewood Group took over.

first Royal Warrant was granted by HRH

It was 1979 when Mr David Jules took

110

located at 61 High Street, Cowes, Isle of
Wight.