FINE & RARE 18CT GOLD TOURBILLON HUNTER CASED POCKET WATCH, E.J. Dent, London 1918, white enamel
FINE & RARE 18CT GOLD TOURBILLON HUNTER CASED POCKET WATCH, E.J. Dent, London 1918, white enamel Roman dial with large sunk subsidiary seconds dial, with gilt-finished three-quarter plate lever movement, steel three-arm tourbillon carriage, hinged glazed dust cover, heavy plain circular case, revolving six minute tourbillon probably by Nicole Nielson, bi-metallic compensation balance, plate signed Dent, Watchmaker to the King & Queen, 34 Cockspur Street, London, and numbered 33811, dial similarly signed & numbered, plate stamped numeral '1191', gold case with makers mark 'RN' for Robert North, in purple case of issue with gilt stamped inner lid, 58mm (diam.), 205.8gAuctioneer's Note: Dent was established by the talented horologist Edward John Dent, who at the age of 17, transferred his apprenticeship from the trade of tallow chandler to watchmaking under the charge of Edward Gaudin in 1807. By 1817 he had become well known as a watch and clockmaker receiving commissions from the Admiralty for a 'Standard Astronomical Clock' and pocket chronometers for the Colonial Office Africa Expedition. In 1830 Dent went into partnership with the renowned watch and chronometer maker John Roger Arnold which continued until 1840 when he left and set up business alone as E.J. Dent at 82 Strand, London, primarily making marine chronometers, watches and precision clocks. In 1843 the firm expanded taking on a second premises at 33 Cockspur Street, with the Strand premises moving down the road to number 61 by 1851. In 1852 Edward Dent successfully tendered to make the 'great clock' to be housed in Stephen's tower at the New Palace of Westminster. The clock was completed by 1859, apparently at a financial loss to the firm, however it ensured that Dent became a household name synonymous with fine clockmaking. Unfortunately Edward John Dent did not live to see the installation of the 'great clock' as he died in 1853. He was succeeded by his stepson Frederick Rippon Dent, who, in partnership with his brother Richard, continued to expand the business. By 1862 the firm had added 34 Cockspur Street and 34 & 35 Royal Exchange to their list of addresses and, although having seen natural passage of ownership over the intervening years, the business still continues to trade today as Dent & Co.Compare with Charles Frodsham tourbillon pocket watch at Christies Geneva, lot 480, 18 May 2021 sale with similar movement.Provenance: private collection Monmouthshire, has been in the same ownership since it was purchased by the ancestor of the vendor, thought to be an 18th or 21st birthday present.Comments: dial with typical hairline crack between centre of dial and edge of subsidiary seconds dial. The remains of the severely corroded hour and minute hands have been removed, seconds hand missing entirely. Dial lettering still fresh. The movement and dial have been inspected (see images). Movement surprisingly very good overall with very light surface tarnish to one gear. Hand barrels pin-adjust as normal, ticks away nicely, and appears to be in very good overall condition despite the corrosion to the hands which are now in pieces. Glass missing. Outer case of issue with light surface scuffs only.
