Fine, rare English half hunting cased chronometer Circa 1867

Gold half hunter chronometer by Dent
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A fine and rare English 18 carat gold half hunting cased keyless pocket chronometer, circa 1867-1868. Nicole Nielsen gilt finished 3/4 plate jewelled movement, Earnshaw type detent escapement, bimetallic compensation balance with gold screws, finely engraved balance bridge, freesprung regulator, diamond endstone, Adolphe Nicole patented keyless winding and hand setting. White enamel dial with Roman numerals, outer railway minute divisions and subsidiary seconds at nine o’clock. Plain case, inlaid blue enamel Roman numerals to the aperture in the front, the inside with engraved inscription J.F. Anderson Junr., snap on back engraved with the initials ‘AF’. Case numbered, stamped with casemaker’s mark ‘AN’ for Adolphe Nicole and London date letter for 1867-1868, dial and movement numbered and signed by maker.
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Diameter: 51 mm
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Signed: Dent Watchmaker to the Queen 33 Cockspur Street London
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The present watch is made by the celebrated firm E. Dent & Co., originally founded by the English watchmaker Edward John Dent (1790-1853), renowned for his high quality pocket and marine chronometers, regulators as well as large clocks he made for the Royal Exchange and Westminster (Big Ben). He worked in the workshops of Vulliamy and Paul Philippe Barraud and went into partnership with the famous John Roger Arnold 1830. When the partnership of ‘Arnold & Dent’ expired in 1840, he established himself at 82 Strand (later moving to 61) and also took workshops at 34 Cockspur Street and inside the Royal Exchange.
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After Edward John’s death, the businesses were taken over by his stepsons Frederick and Richard, followed by their successors. The company’s name was consequently changed to E. Dent & Co.