419 - John Edward Dent - Watchmaker to the Queen

John Edward Dent - Watchmaker to the Queen A very fine London precision half hunting case pocket watch with spring detent escapement Movm. No. 24058, Case No. 24058, Dimensions 51 mm, circa 1862, Weight 105 g, Origin England Case: Silver, smooth, applied gold ring with inlaid cobalt blue raidial Roman numerals, case maker's punch mark "TH" (Thomas Hardy). Dial: Enamel. Movm.: 2/3 plate movement, chain/fusee, large gold screw compensation balance, freesprung, blued, helical hairspring. John Edward Dent was born in 1790 and started his career as a candle-maker before he turned to watch- and clockmaking. Dent is considered one of the leading watch- and clockmakers of his time who produced pocket watches, large clocks, chronometers and regulators. He worked for the Vulliamys and the Barrauds from 1815 until 1829, and became the partner of John Roger Arnold in 1830. The partnership ended in 1840 and Dent opened his own workshop in London. John Edward Dent's clocks, chronometers and pocket watches were much sought after even then and he also built the famous clock in the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. Dent’s clocks, his chronometers and his pocket watches have always sold for high prices, even during his lifetime. Case: very good. Dial: very good. Movm.: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.