A VICTORIAN MAHOGANY CASED TWO-DAY MARINE CHRONOMETER DENT, ...

Estimate

£2,000 - £3,000

A VICTORIAN MAHOGANY CASED TWO-DAY MARINE CHRONOMETER DENT, LONDON, CIRCA 1850-55The circular four columnar pillar single chain fusee movement with Harrison's maintaining power, jewelled pivots for the escape wheel, Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement, unusual bimetallic balance incorporating angled affixes for middle temperature error compensation, brass timing screws to circumference and cylindrical weights, helical balance spring and faceted diamond endstone, the backplate with spring set-up ratchet applied to the curved mainspring pivot plate, blued backcock and pillar securing screws, and signed DENT, LONDON, Chronometer Maker to the QUEEN, No. 2372 in a curve to the outer edge, the 3.625 inch circular silvered Roman numeral dial with subsidiary seconds dial beneath signature DENT, LONDON, Chronometer, Maker, to the QUEEN., No. 2372 across the centre and WIND/UP, 0-48 power reserve dial at twelve o'clock, with gold spade hands and secured by a convex-glazed screw-down bezel into a lacquered brass bowl with pivoted dust-cap covered winding hole to underside and stamped DENT over 2372 to interior, mounted via gimbals into a mahogany three tier box with typsy winding key, the inside of the top tier applied with an E. DENT & Co... trade label, the middle tier applied with fired enamel roundel inscribed DENT, 2372 to the front over lock with brass rectangular escutcheon plate and the sides with hinged with carrying handles.15cm (6ins) high, 15cm (6ins) wide, 15cm (6ins) deep. Edward John Dent was a talented horologist who at the age of 17 transferred his apprenticeship from the trade of tallow chandler to watchmaking under the charge of Edward Gaudin in 1807. By 1817 he had become well known as a watch and clockmaker receiving commissions from the Admiralty for a 'Standard Astronomical Clock' and pocket chronometers for the Colonial Office Africa Expedition. In 1830 Dent went into partnership with John Roger Arnold which continued until 1840 when he left and set up business alone as E.J. Dent at 82 Strand, London, primarily making marine chronometers, watches and precision clocks. Dent subsequently opened further shops at 33 Cockspur Street and 34 Royal Exchange, London by 1846. Edward John Dent is perhaps best remembered as being awarded the commission in 1852 to build the clock for the tower at the Palace of Westminster (more commonly termed Big Ben); but died in 1853 before the mechanism was completed and leaving his business to be divided between his two stepsons Richard Edward and Frederick Dent.The design of the balance of the current lot does not appear to conform to known designs and variously discussed in the usual sources. The affixes to the balance take the form of bimetallic arms applied to each end of the balance segments pointing towards the centre and fitted with small screw weights beneath the balance spring. This clearly rare form of balance may warrant further investigation to ascertain whether it is experimental in nature, or a short-lived variant used by various makers at this time.