English chronograph with chronometer escapement Circa 1863

Gold extremely rare chronometer
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An extremely rare chronometer with chronograph made by E.J. Dent in London, England, circa 1863. This numbered hunting cased timepiece bears the maker’s mark of Adolph Nicole and Hallmarks for London 1863. The numbered white enamel dial has outer minute divisions with Arabic ten minute numerals, an outermost fifth of a second track, time indication with radial Roman hours at 3 o’clock, subsidiary seconds at 9 o’clock and steel hands. The numbered movement has a spring detent escapement, chronometer balance, chronograph with a central counter and is inscribed Patent and Watchmaker to the Queen.
Case, dial and movement have matching numbers, dial and movement are signed.
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Diameter: 52.5 mm
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Weight: 120 g
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Signed: Dent 35 Cockspur S^T London
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The watch presented here is a rarity from a technical point of view. It is an early chronograph according to Adolphe Nicole’s patent, but equipped with a chronometer escapement. Another special feature is the central minute hand. Though it is a regulator dial, this watch has three central hands.
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Dent, a celebrated watchmaking dynasty founded by Edward John Dent (1790-1853), was known for high quality watches, clocks, chronometers and regulators. After starting life as a tallow chandler, Edward John switched to watchmaking. From 1815 to 1829, he was employed by the Vulliamys and the Barrauds. In 1830, he entered into a partnership with J.R. Arnold. In 1840, he set up on his own account at 33 Cockspur Street, London. He was the builder of ‘Big Ben’, the famous Westminster clock and made many fine chronometers and watches as well as others of a high commercial grade. The firm continued until relatively recently at 41 Pall Mall, London, as E. Dent & Co. Ltd.