Dent, London

• Movement: gilded three-quarter plate, ratchet tooth lever escapement, bi-metallic compensation balance, polished steel hammers repeating on coiled gongs, signed and numbered Dent Watchmaker to Her Late Majesty, 34 Cockspur Street, London, No. 32675
• Dial: gold engine-turned centre, white enamel chapter ring with radial Arabic numerals and outer minute ring with gilded ring between, blued steel spade hands, subsidiary seconds, signed and numbered Dent, 34 Cockspur Street, London, 32675
• Case: plain gold case, the back centred with a monogram, engraved to the inside back Albert Niclausse, hallmarked London 1903 and further stamped with French Owl import mark used from 1893, numbered 32675 and with maker's mark RN in rectangular cameo for Robert Benson North

Antiquorum Geneva, The Art of British Horology, 21st October 1995, lot 182

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 439, pl. 284

Movement running at time of cataloguing but repetition work is not currently operational. Dial in good overall condition but there do appear to be two very light hairline cracks within the subsidiary seconds dial running from the 40 second mark towards the centre of the subsidiary dial. Case has been polished, some scratches round the case openings, the back is rather loose and would benefit from being tightened.
"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."

The very fine quality movement of this watch was supplied to Dent by Nicole, Nielsen & Co., who, like Hector Golay (see lot 77), produced some of the finest complication English movements of the latter part of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. Relatively few watches are signed by Nicole, Nielsen & Co., the firm more usually supplying their movements to prominent makers such as Dent and Frodsham. The superb dial has a sophisticated design, combining a gold engine-turned centre with white enamel chapter ring; whilst distinctly English in flavour, it can perhaps be seen as an Anglicisation of early 19th century dial designs made popular by A-L. Breguet.

E. Dent & Co was founded by Edward John Dent (1790-1853). Edward was employed by the Vulliamys and the Barrauds before going into partnership with John Roger Arnold in 1830. In 1840 Edward set up his own company and, a year before his death, he won the contract for creating the Great Clock for Parliament's clock tower (now known as the Elizabeth tower) and popularly referred to as "Big Ben". He was succeeded by his step-sons Frederick and Richard who assumed his name. In both the 19th and 20th centuries, the firm supplied marine chronometers and watches to the Royal Navy and also received Royal Warrants.