Fine English silver open faced pocket chronometer Circa 1869

Silver open faced chronometer by Dent
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An English silver open faced keywound pocket chronometer, circa 1869. Gilt finished half plate jewelled chain fusée movement, spring detent escapement, blued steel helical spring, freesprung regulator, diamond endstone. Silver cuvette. White enamel dial with Roman numerals, outer railway minute divisions and subsidiary seconds. Plain case, engraved initial G surmounted by a crown to the hinged back. Case numbered, stamped with casemaker’s initials GJO and with London date letter for 1869, cuvette stamped GJO possibly for George John Oram, dial and movement signed and numbered.
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Diameter: 58 mm
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Signed: Dent Watchmaker to the Queen 33 Cockspur Street Charing Cross London
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This watch is a fine example of watches made by the celebrated Dent & Co. The firm E. Dent & Co. was 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. In 1830 he went into partnership with the famous John Roger Arnold. When the partnership of ‘Arnold & Dent’ expired in 1840, he established himself at 82 Strand (later moving to 61) and also took workshops at 33 Cockspur Street and inside the Royal Exchange. 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.