- 70
E. J. Dent, London
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- A RARE GOLD HALF-HUNTING CASED EARLY KEYLESS WINDING DUPLEX WATCH WITH DATE AND ECCENTRIC SECONDS 1848, NO. 10523
- Gold
- diameter 49.5 mm
• Movement: gilded three-quarter plate movement, duplex escapement, decoratively engraved balance cock, bi-metallic compensation balance, keyless work visible to the backplate, signed E. J. Dent, Watchmaker to the Queen, London, no. 10523, Patent, plate adjacent to balance cock signed AN/JC for Adolphe Nicole & Jules Capt
• Dial: gold with matte stippled centre, chapter ring with circular satin finish, Roman numerals, similarly finished subsidiary seconds at 9 o’clock, blued steel moon hands with
spade section for half-hunting view, date aperture below 12 o’clock
• Case: gold, both covers engine-turned, the front with glazed aperture surrounded by polished chapter ring with blue enamel Roman numerals, milled band, case back with London 18kt gold hallmarks for 1848, case back and cover with maker’s mark AN for Adolphe Nicole, numbered 10523
• Dial: gold with matte stippled centre, chapter ring with circular satin finish, Roman numerals, similarly finished subsidiary seconds at 9 o’clock, blued steel moon hands with
spade section for half-hunting view, date aperture below 12 o’clock
• Case: gold, both covers engine-turned, the front with glazed aperture surrounded by polished chapter ring with blue enamel Roman numerals, milled band, case back with London 18kt gold hallmarks for 1848, case back and cover with maker’s mark AN for Adolphe Nicole, numbered 10523
Provenance
David Landes, Boston
Literature
Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch, 1585-1970, 2009, p. 400, pl. 253
Condition
Movement fully wound and will just run for a couple of seconds at time of cataloguing - in need of a service. Dial with some light scuffs and scratches, some small losses to the black Roman numerals. Engine turning to the covers is rubbed, especially towards the edges. Cover does not currently close and will need adjustment.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."
Catalogue Note
Adolphe Nicole’s patent number 10348 of October 1844 for keyless winding and hand-set was registered in April 1845. By 1846, E. Dent & Co. had acquired the patent rights from
Nicole and became the sole licensee. The present watch is an especially early example of the application of this patent. Vaudrey Mercer in his book, Edward John Dent and
his Successors, devotes a short chapter to the patent and illustrates diagrams taken from the application. The winding mechanism is visible to the backplate and is of the early form,
with the intermediate wheel permanently engaged with the centre wheel. The hand setting mechanism is activated via a nib-piece in the band and allows the hands to be moved forwards only.
For note on Dent, see lot 76.
Nicole and became the sole licensee. The present watch is an especially early example of the application of this patent. Vaudrey Mercer in his book, Edward John Dent and
his Successors, devotes a short chapter to the patent and illustrates diagrams taken from the application. The winding mechanism is visible to the backplate and is of the early form,
with the intermediate wheel permanently engaged with the centre wheel. The hand setting mechanism is activated via a nib-piece in the band and allows the hands to be moved forwards only.
For note on Dent, see lot 76.