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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Fusee pocket watch

Kendal & Dent 1891 Fusee Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This antique English pocket watch features a key-wound fusee movement signed Kendal & Dent and numbered 16466. The gilt top plate displays a foliate engraved balance cock with endstone, blued steel screws, and an engraved regulation scale marked Slow and Fast. According to dealer documentation, the watch is housed in a 52.4 mm silver case bearing London hallmarks for 1891 and the maker's mark for Samuel William Read. The dealer also records a signed dial with faint hairline cracks and a later antique minute hand.

Top plate of the Kendal & Dent fusee movement showing serial number 16466 and the engraved balance cock
Top plate of the Kendal & Dent fusee movement showing serial number 16466 and the engraved balance cock — The Vintage Wrist Watch Company. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sellingantiques.co.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Fusee pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Kendal & Dent
Reference
SA580310
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1891
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
16466

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

Movement Construction and Visible Markings

Direct visual inspection of the movement plate shows a gilt top plate signed in cursive script 'Kendal & Dent' and stamped with serial number '16466'. It features a foliate engraved balance cock fitted with an endstone jewel, along with an index pointer oriented toward a curved regulation scale engraved 'SLOW' and 'FAST'. Blued steel screws and square winding and setting arbors are visible across the plate surface.

The seller describes the movement as a key-wound fusee mechanism protected by an inner fitted cover. Internal mechanical details beneath the top plate—such as escapement architecture and the fusee chain—are not visible in the provided image.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gilt movement top plate engraved in script 'Kendal & Dent' and stamped with serial number '16466'.”
  • “Foliate engraved balance cock with jewel endstone and regulator index pointed toward an engraved 'SLOW / FAST' curved calibration scale.”
  • “The movement is signed Kendal & Dent and is protected by an inner fitted cover.”

Casing and Hallmarking

According to dealer documentation, the watch is housed in a silver case measuring 52.4 mm in diameter, excluding the stem and loop. The listing notes that the case shows light surface marking consistent with wear.

The dealer records London hallmarks for 1891 inside both case backs, alongside the maker's mark for Samuel William Read. Neither the case exterior nor interior hallmarks are depicted in the single supplied photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch itself measures 52.4mm diameter excluding the stem and the loop.”
  • “The case is silver and there are London hallmarks inside both of the case backs for 1891 with the makers mark for Samuel William Read .”
  • “The case is in nice condition with only light surface marking from use.”

Dial and Hands Documentation

The dealer states that the dial is signed 'Kendal & Dent' and notes the presence of a few very faint hairline cracks that are not noticeable to the naked eye.

The listing further notes that the watch retains an antique replacement minute hand. Neither the dial nor the hands are visible in the provided image.

Evidence for this section
  • “The dial is signed Kendal & Dent and has a few very faint hairline cracks although not noticeable to the naked eye”
  • “The watch has a later minute hand although antique.”

Open research questions

  • Do the case serial numbers match the movement serial number 16466 to confirm the movement and case were originally assembled together?
  • What specific escapement type is fitted beneath the top plate?
  • What are the visual characteristics and material of the replacement antique minute hand compared to the hour hand?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Kendal & Dent 1891 Fusee Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement typeKey-wound fusee“The watch has a key-wound fusee movement which is working nicely.”
Movement signatureKendal & Dent“The movement is signed Kendal & Dent”
Case diameter52.4mm“The watch itself measures 52.4mm diameter excluding the stem and the loop.”
Case hallmarksLondon hallmarks for 1891“The case is silver and there are London hallmarks inside both of the case backs for 1891”
Case makerSamuel William Read“makers mark for Samuel William Read”
Hand replacementLater antique minute hand“The watch has a later minute hand although antique.”
Protective coverFitted inner cover reported“protected by an inner fitted cover.”
Dealer movement assessmentKey-wound fusee movement, reported working nicely“The watch has a key-wound fusee movement which is working nicely.”

Visible details

  • Gilt movement top plate engraved in script 'Kendal & Dent' and stamped with serial number '16466'.
  • Foliate engraved balance cock with jewel endstone and regulator index pointed toward an engraved 'SLOW / FAST' curved calibration scale.
  • Blued steel screws and square winding/setting arbors visible on the movement plate.

Research qualifications

  • The dial and case interior are not visible in the provided image, which depicts only the movement plate.
  • The listing notes a later replacement antique minute hand and faint hairline cracks on the dial.

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

Consulted source

Antique 1891 Kendal & Dent Fusee Pocket Watch. | Sellingantiques.co.uk

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record db66244151

Terms in this record

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

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