Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Nov 16, 2008

LOT 499

Minute Repeating & Independent Dead Center-Seconds Dent, Watchmaker to the Queen, 33 Cockspur Street, London, No. 27373, the movement probably supplied by Nicole Nielsen. The case with London hallmarks for 1873-1874. Very fine and extremely rare, minute-repeating, two-train, hunting-cased, keyless 18K gold pocket watch with independent dead center-seconds.

CHF 10,000 - 12,000

USD 9,200 - 11,000 / EUR 6,300 - 7,500

C. Four-body, ?bassine?, by Alfred Stram (master mark), polished, slide for locking the center-seconds at 6 o?clock. Hinged gold cuvette. D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, outermost Arabic five-seconds numerals. Blued steel spade hands. M. 43 mm., 19???, frosted gilt three-quarter plate, two-train with tandem winding, 21 jewels, lateral lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with gold temperature and mean time adjustment screws, blued steel Breguet balance spring, the tail held by a polished steel stud screwed to the cock, foliate engraved cock, diamond endstone, index regulator, repeating on gongs activated by a slide in the band. Dial, and movement signed. Diam. 52 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-8

Good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

The Dent Family Edward John Dent (1790-1853) was a celebrated maker of watches, clocks, chronometers and regulators. 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 (his stepson Frederick DEnt completed the clock). He made many fine chronometers and watches as well as others of a high commercial grade. E.J. Dent married Marianna Frederica, the widow of his master Richard Rippon. Her sons Frederick and Richard took Dent?s name and continued the business. In 1862, the firm, under the name of M.F. Dent, showed a selection of watches at the International Exhibition and again at the Paris Exhibition of 1867.
The firm continued until relatively recently at 41 Pall Mall, London, as E. Dent & Co. Ltd.