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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Kendal & Dent open face silver pocket watch

Partially verified

This antique English open face pocket watch is signed by Kendal & Dent, London, designated as Makers to the Admiralty. According to the seller, the English silver case bears hallmarks for Chester 1902 and measures 50 mm in width by 12 mm in depth, fitted with a hinged inner dome, back cover, and snap-on bezel with a bevelled mineral glass. The movement is reported as a stem-wound, stem-set gilt three-quarter plate with a lever escapement, numbered 694305. The white enamel dial features black Roman numerals, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.

Front view of Kendal & Dent silver open face pocket watch showing dial, blued hands, and hallmarked pendant
Front view of Kendal & Dent silver open face pocket watch showing dial, blued hands, and hallmarked pendant — Atlam Watches via Antiques Boutique. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Kendal & Dent
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
4.272 (AB-263323)
Source-reported date
c. 1902
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
694305

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

Dial and Visual Appearance

The timepiece features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an inset subsidiary seconds register at the 6 o'clock position. The hands are blued steel, including a spade hour hand, slender minute hand, and subsidiary seconds hand. Below 12 o'clock, the dial bears the inscription 'KENDAL & DENT / LONDON / MAKERS TO THE ADMIRALTY'.

The open-face pocket watch is fitted with a bevelled mineral glass crystal. In the available front photograph, the silver case pendant displays hallmarks stamped on the neck and is fitted with a fluted brass-toned winding crown.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an inset subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock”
  • “Blued steel spade hour hand, slender minute hand, and matching subsidiary seconds hand”
  • “Dial signed below 12 o'clock: 'KENDAL & DENT / LONDON / MAKERS TO THE ADMIRALTY'”
  • “The watch has a bevelled mineral glass”
  • “Silver case pendant with visible hallmarks stamped on the neck and a fluted brass-toned winding crown”

Case Construction and Movement Details

According to the seller's description, the silver case features a hinged inner cuvette, a hinged back cover, and a snap-on bezel. The back cover is reported to have engine turning with a vacant cartouche or rest, with a smooth plain finish across the remainder of the case. The case measures 50 mm in width by 12 mm in depth.

The movement is described by the dealer as an English stem-wound and stem-set gilt three-quarter plate with a lever escapement, signed 'Kendal & Dent, London, Makers to the Admiralty 694305'. Because no photographs of the opened movement or inner case back are provided in the source, these mechanical and interior details rely entirely on the dealer's listing.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case – the movement comes in an English silver open face case which has a hinged inner, back cover and snap on bezel. The case has engine turning and a vacant rest to the rear and a smooth plain finish on the rest of the case.”
  • “The watch measures 50mm wide x 12mm deep”
  • “The watch is stem wound / stem set”
  • “Movement – the gilt ¾ plate movement has a lever escapement and is signed “Kendal & Dent, London, Makers to the Admiralty 694305””

Reported Condition and Dating

The seller describes the dial as having a forked hairline at 1 o'clock radiating down toward 3 and 4 o'clock, noting that it is visible primarily under an eyeglass and in certain lighting. Additionally, the seller notes three light dents on the case back, which is not depicted in the source imagery.

Dating to circa 1902 is based on the dealer's statement that the case carries hallmarks for Chester 1902. As the hallmarks on the inner case back and cuvette are not reproduced in the listing photos, the specific date letter and sponsor's mark punches are not documented in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial – the white enamel dial has a complete set of blue steel hands and is signed “Kendal & Dent, London, Makers to the Admiralty” The dial is in 85% mint condition – a forked hairline on the 1 with a hairline which radiates down to the 3-4. Please note this is only visible with en eye glass and then the dial is held in a certain light”
  • “The case is in 85% mint condition – 3 loght dents on the back.”
  • “clear hallmarks for Chester 1902”

Open research questions

  • What specific sponsor's/case maker's mark and Chester date letter punch appear inside the case covers?
  • Does movement serial number 694305 appear in surviving Kendal & Dent production or Admiralty contract ledgers?
  • What jewel count and balance assembly (e.g. split bimetallic compensation balance) are utilized in movement 694305?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Kendal & Dent open face silver pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement signature and serialKendal & Dent, London, Makers to the Admiralty 694305“signed “Kendal & Dent, London, Makers to the Admiralty 694305””
Case hallmarksChester 1902“clear hallmarks for Chester 1902”
Movement descriptionGilt 3/4 plate with lever escapement“the gilt ¾ plate movement has a lever escapement”
Winding mechanismStem wound / stem set“The watch is stem wound / stem set”
Dimensions50mm wide x 12mm deep“The watch measures 50mm wide x 12mm deep”
Case rear decorationEngine turned with a vacant rest“The case has engine turning and a vacant rest to the rear and a smooth plain finish on the rest of the case.”
Crystal typeBevelled mineral glass“The watch has a bevelled mineral glass”
Seller-reported movement conditionDescribed by dealer as '95% mint condition – super clean condition'“The movement is in 95% mint condition – super clean condition”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an inset subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock
  • Blued steel spade hour hand, slender minute hand, and matching subsidiary seconds hand
  • Silver case pendant with visible hallmarks stamped on the neck and a fluted brass-toned winding crown
  • Dial signed below 12 o'clock: 'KENDAL & DENT / LONDON / MAKERS TO THE ADMIRALTY'

Research qualifications

  • Movement plate details, serial number engraving, and Chester 1902 case interior hallmarks rely on seller description as movement and caseback interior are not depicted
  • Seller notes a forked hairline crack near 1 o'clock and light dents on the case back that are not distinctly visible in the front photograph

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

Consulted source

Vintage English silver pocket watch by Kendal & Dent, Makers to the Admiralty c1902 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record cbb3e2a61c

Terms in this record

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

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