7,500 CHF
Dent - Minute-Repeating Watch with Willis Dial Dent, Watchmaker to The Queen, London, 61 Strand & 4 Royal Exchange, London, No. 48649. The case with London hallmarks for 1895-6. Very fine, heavy, 18K gold, minute-repeating, hunting cased, keyless pocket watch. Four-body, “bassine”, master mark EN, polished, the front cover with engraved monogram. Hinged gold cuvette. White enamel by Willis, with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds. Blued steel spade hands. 43 mm (19’’’), frosted gilt half- plate, jewels in screwed chatons, lateral lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with gold gold screws, blued steel Breguet balance spring with terminal curve, index regulator, repeating on gongs activated by a slide on the band. Dial and movement signed. The dial signed Willis on the reverse. Diam. 53 mm. Notes This is a high quality repeater, very highly finished and with a dial by Willis, the finest English dial maker. Dent A celebrated watchmaking dynasty founded by Edward John Dent (1790-1853), known for high quality watches, clocks, chronometers and regulators. After starting life as a tallow chandler, Edward John Dent switched to watchmaking. From 1815 to 1829, he was employed by the Vulliamys and the Barrauds. In 1830 he entered into a partnership with J. R. Arnold. In 1840 he set up on his own account at 33 Cockspur Street, London. He was the builder of “Big Ben”, the famous Westminster clock. He made many fine chronometers and watche
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2011-03-27
