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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Deck watch

Dent Silver Deck Watch

Partially verified

This Dent deck watch is a mid-19th-century English timepiece presented in a plain silver open-face case with gold hinges. The watch features a key-wound, gilt full-plate movement equipped with a fusee, a helical free-sprung blued steel balance spring, and Harrison's maintaining power. The escapement is an Earnshaw-type spring-detent mechanism, with the balance bridge featuring a diamond endstone. The white enamel dial is signed and numbered, displaying Roman numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial, and blued steel hands. The piece is housed in a three-tier mahogany deck box fitted with brass hardware and an inset bone plaque on the lid bearing the maker's signature and the watch's serial number. A locking key attached to a signed brass disk is included.

The Dent deck watch showing the open-face dial with signature 'E.I. DENT LONDON 19972'.
The Dent deck watch showing the open-face dial with signature 'E.I. DENT LONDON 19972'. — Zamanito / Pieces of Time. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Deck watch
Maker / attribution
Dent
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
mid-19th century
Source-reported place
England
Source-reported serial
19972

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 and Presentation

The watch is encased in an open-face silver housing, characterized by a plain, sturdy design. The construction incorporates gold hinges, which connect the case components. The exterior finish is smooth, reflecting a functional design consistent with marine utility.

It is housed within a three-tier mahogany deck box, which serves as a protective container for the timepiece. The box is adorned with brass fittings and features a circular bone plaque on the lid. This plaque is engraved with the signature of the maker and the watch’s serial number, matching the movement. Additionally, the winding key is provided, secured to a brass disk that is also marked with the maker's details.

Evidence for this section
  • “بدنه این ساعت از نوع نقره ساده و مستحکم با لولاهای طلا بوده”
  • “درون یک جعبه عرشه سه‌طبقه از چوب ماهوگانی با اتصالات برنجی قرار گرفته”
  • “روی درب آن پلاکی دایره‌ای از جنس استخوان، دارای امضا و شماره، نصب شده است”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is a gilt full-plate construction utilizing a key-winding mechanism. It incorporates a fusee and chain, paired with Harrison’s maintaining power system to ensure consistent torque during winding. The balance assembly features a large compensation balance with blued steel arms and edges, combined with a free-sprung blued steel helical balance spring.

The escapement is of the Earnshaw spring-detent type, utilized for its chronometric performance. It includes jeweled discharge and impulse stones, and the escape wheel arbors are capped with endstones. The balance cock is plain, decorated with a diamond endstone mounted within a gilded setting, highlighting the technical refinement intended for navigation.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور این ساعت یک نمونه کامل طلااندود (Gilt full plate) با کوک کلیدی و سازوکار فوزه (Fusee) است”
  • “سیستم نیروی مداوم Harrison (Harrison’s maintaining power) به کار رفته است”
  • “چرخ دنگ کرونومتری ضامن‌فنر نوع Earnshaw با سنگ‌های تخلیه و ضربه جواهری”
  • “فنر رقاصک هلیکال فولادی آبی آزاد (Freesprung)”

Dial and Signature

The white enamel dial features Roman numeral hour markers and a subsidiary seconds register positioned at the bottom. The hands are crafted from blued steel, providing high contrast against the enamel surface.

The dial bears the maker’s name, 'E.J. DENT LONDON', and the serial number '19972', which corresponds to the case and the deck box plaque. The layout follows standard conventions for high-precision maritime chronometers of the era, focusing on legibility and ease of reference.

Evidence for this section
  • “صفحه ساعت طبق منبع، از جنس مینای سفید امضاشده و شماره‌دار است”
  • “نشانگرهای رومی، زیرصفحه ثانیه‌شمار و عقربه‌های فولادی آبی‌رنگ را در بر دارد”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific production year associated with serial number 19972?
  • Are there any recorded historical ownership marks on the mahogany box?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Dent Silver Deck Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement TypeGilt full plate fusee“موتور این ساعت یک نمونه کامل طلااندود (Gilt full plate) با کوک کلیدی و سازوکار فوزه (Fusee) است.”
EscapementEarnshaw spring detent“چرخ دنگ کرونومتری ضامن‌فنر نوع Earnshaw”
Balance SpringHelical free-sprung“فنر رقاصک هلیکال فولادی آبی آزاد (Freesprung)”
Maintaining PowerHarrison's maintaining power“سیستم نیروی مداوم Harrison (Harrison’s maintaining power) به کار رفته است.”
Case MaterialSilver with gold hinges“بدنه این ساعت از نوع نقره ساده و مستحکم با لولاهای طلا بوده”
Box DetailsThree-tier mahogany deck box“درون یک جعبه عرشه سه‌طبقه از چوب ماهوگانی با اتصالات برنجی قرار گرفته”

Visible details

  • Case features gold-colored hinges
  • Dial is signed 'E.J. DENT LONDON 19972'
  • Box includes an inset bone identification plaque
  • Case back is plain polished silver

Research qualifications

  • The exact mid-19th-century manufacturing date remains approximate
  • Internal movement condition is described by the source but not independently verified

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

Consulted source

Silver Deck Watch by Dent

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record b248fd3f6d

Terms in this record

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

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