Lever carrousel watch with sweep centre seconds Circa 1912

Silver open faced lever carrousel watch with sweep centre seconds by Dent|
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An English silver open faced keyless lever carrousel watch with sweep centre seconds, circa 1912. Gilt finished half plate jewelled keyless lever movement, gilt Bonniksen type carrousel carriage, bimetallic compensation balance, diamond endstone. Silver cuvette. White enamel dial with Roman numerals and sweep centre seconds. Plain case, rose gold hinge to the back, gold crown, 9 carat gold bow. Case, cuvette, dial and movement signed and numbered, stamped with London date letter for 1912.
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Diameter: 57 mm
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Signed: Dent Watchmaker to the King 61 Strand & 4 Royal Exchange 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.