Dent, London No. 18699 SOLD

Clockmaker: Dent, London

SOLD

A superb and rare nickel eight day chronometer carriage timepiece of handsome proportions.

Dial

The white enamel dial signed Dent, London with subsidiary seconds dial and set within a silvered engine turned mask.

Case

The rare nickel case, larger than the standard size with thick bevelled glass and dust shutters to the back door.

Movement

The four pillar chain fusee movement signed Dent, London, No.18699. Deeply planted platform with Earnshaw's spring detent escapement and free sprung Dent’s Staple balance with blued helical balance spring.

Date circa 1857 Height 7 1/2 ins ( 19.5 cm)

Nickel carriage clocks, also known as ‘German silver’, by Dent are extremely rare. It has been published that it was believed just eight are known, this is incorrect as the three clocks sold by us were not included, The known list is No. 1392, No. 1458, No. 1567, No. 1835, No. 14806, no. 14880, No. 15956, No. 17783, No. 18699, No. 20796 and No. 25712.

Edward John Dent (1790-1853) went into partnership with John Roger Arnold at 84 Strand. In 1840 he set up on his own at 64 Strand and also at 28 and 33 Cockspur Street. He was granted the Royal Warrant as Chronometer Maker to the Queen in 1841. In 1852 Dent won the commission to make the great clock for the Houses of Parliament at Westminster but died in 1853 before it was completed.