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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Two-day marine chronometer

Dent London Two-Day Marine Chronometer No. 58553

Partially verified

This two-day marine chronometer by Dent of London is numbered 58553 and dated to circa 1915 by the source. The mechanism is mounted in a brass gimbal within a three-tier mahogany box reinforced with brass corner brackets. A circular ivory or ivorine plaque on the box exterior bears the maker's mark and serial number. The silvered dial features black Roman hour numerals, a subsidiary state-of-wind dial below XII, and a subsidiary seconds dial above VI. It is signed with Dent's address at 61 Strand and 4 Royal Exchange, London, noting royal appointment to the King. The interior lid retains an original printed maker's trade label.

Dent marine chronometer No. 58553 in an open brass-bound mahogany box
Dent marine chronometer No. 58553 in an open brass-bound mahogany box — 1stDibs. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.1stdibs.com
Category
Marine chronometer · Two-day marine chronometer
Maker / attribution
Dent
Reference
LU4037337770682
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
c. 1915
Country
England
Source-reported serial
58553

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Construction

The chronometer is housed in a three-tier mahogany box featuring brass corner reinforcements and inset side carrying handles. A circular plaque on the front is engraved with the Dent trademark and the serial number 58553. Access to the third tier is provided by a brass push-button knob.

The interior of the upper lid retains an original printed trade label. The instrument is secured within a gimballed brass surround, and the case design includes a compartment for the original solid brass 'Tipsy' winding key.

Evidence for this section
  • “three tier mahogany brass bound box with inset carrying handles to the sides, inset plaque to the front carrying the Dent trademark and numbered 58553 below a brass push button knob opening to a third tier”
  • “The movement is housed within a gimballed brass surround”
  • “The box has a wonderful rich patina and retains it’s original solid brass Tipsy key”
  • “This Chronometer is most remarkable as it still retains the original trade label from Dent to the inside lid of the top tier”

Dial and Inscriptions

The silvered dial displays Roman numerals and includes two subsidiary dials: one for 'state of wind' located below the XII marker and a seconds dial positioned above the VI.

The dial is signed 'Dent, maker to the King, 61 Strand & 4 Royal Exchange, London' and includes the serial number 58553.

Evidence for this section
  • “The silvered dial with Roman numerals and original hands carrying the trademark for Dent and signed Dent, maker to the King, 61 Strand & 4 Royal Exchange, London number 58553”
  • “subsidiary dial below XII for ‘state of wind’ and subsidiary seconds dial above the VI”

Movement Attributes

The chronometer contains a 56-hour chain fusee movement with full brass plates and four ringed pillars. The mechanism utilizes an Earnshaw-type sprung detent escapement with maintaining power.

The balance assembly is described as a split bi-metallic type with cylindrical temperature compensation weights, a polished steel helical balance spring, and a faceted endstone.

Evidence for this section
  • “The high quality 56 hour chain fusee movement has full brass plates joined by four ringed pillars, an Earnshaw-type sprung detent escapement with maintaining power, split bi-metallic balance and cylindrical shaped temperature compensation weights, polished steel helical balance and faceted endstone”

Open research questions

  • Are there extant factory logs or records associated with the serial number 58553?
  • Does the trade label in the lid provide specific historical documentation regarding the chronometer's maintenance or origin?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Dent London Two-Day Marine Chronometer No. 58553
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement duration56 hours“The high quality 56 hour chain fusee movement has full brass plates”
Escapement typeEarnshaw-type sprung detent“an Earnshaw-type sprung detent escapement with maintaining power”
Dial inscriptionDent, maker to the King, 61 Strand & 4 Royal Exchange, London number 58553“signed Dent, maker to the King, 61 Strand & 4 Royal Exchange, London number 58553”
Case materialMahogany“three tier mahogany brass bound box”
Approximate Datec. 1915“c.1915”
Dimensions19.69 cm (H) x 19.05 cm (W) x 19.05 cm (D)“Height: 7.75 in (19.69 cm) Width: 7.5 in (19.05 cm) Depth: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)”

Visible details

  • Silvered dial with black Roman numerals, subsidiary state-of-wind indicator below XII, and subsidiary seconds dial above VI
  • Gimballed brass mounting ring with lock screw and winding key seated in the wooden case corner
  • Three-tier mahogany box fitted with brass corner mounts, circular maker plaque marked 'DENT 58553', and key with tassel in front escutcheon
  • Original printed paper trade label preserved inside the upper lid

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement attributes such as the chain fusee, maintaining power, and Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement are source-reported and not directly visible in the dial view
  • Date circa 1915 is source-reported without external trial or archival records

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Fine Two Day Marine Chronometer by Dent, London. No58553 at 1stDibs

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 1d13536bb2

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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