English 18k gold minute repeating keyless pocket watch Circa 1895

Gold hunting cased lever watch 
–
A very fine English, heavy, 18K gold, minute repeating, hunting cased, keyless pocket watch, circa 1895. Watch with Willis Dial, Dent, Watchmaker to The Queen, London, 61 Strand & 4 Royal Exchange, London. The case with London hallmarks for 1895-1896. Master mark EN, polished, the front cover with engraved monogram. Hinged gold cuvette.
–
White enamel dial by Willis, with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds. Blued steel spade hands. A frosted gilt half-plate movement, jewels in screwed chatons, lateral lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with gold screws, blued steel Breguet balance spring with a terminal curve, index regulator, repeating on gongs activated by a slide on the band. Dial and movement signed. The dial signed Willis on the reverse.
–
Diameter: 53 mm
–
Signed: Dent  English
–
This is a high-quality repeater, very highly finished and with a dial by Willis, the finest English dial maker. Dent is a celebrated watchmaking dynasty founded by Edward John Dent (1790-1853), known for high-quality watches, clocks, chronometers and regulators. After starting life as a tallow chandler, Edward John Dent 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. He 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.