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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Kendal & Dent Solid Silver Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This Edwardian open-face pocket watch by Kendal & Dent is housed in a solid silver case hallmarked for Chester, 1905, according to the source. The white dial displays black Roman numerals, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock, inscribed 'Kendal & Dent London Makers to the Admiralty'. The source notes that this Admiralty inscription is also stamped on the watch movement. Accompanied by a hallmarked silver Albert chain with a silver fob dated circa 1910, the watch is presented in a fitted Mappin & Webb London retailer box.

Front view of Kendal & Dent open-face pocket watch displayed inside an open Mappin & Webb box with attached silver Albert chain
Front view of Kendal & Dent open-face pocket watch displayed inside an open Mappin & Webb box with attached silver Albert chain — Spencer James Antiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiques-atlas.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Kendal & Dent
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
as703a564 / 987
Source-reported date
1905
Country
United Kingdom

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 Presentation

The pocket watch displays a clear white dial marked with black Roman numerals, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock. Visual observation records the inscription 'KENDAL & DENT / LONDON / MAKERS TO THE ADMIRALTY' on the dial face. The open-face silver casing is fitted with a round bow and a contrasting gold-coloured winding button at the 12 o'clock position.

While the primary visual face appears intact under normal inspection, the seller notes a condition defect consisting of a small chip located on the edge of the dial between 1 and 2 o'clock, which is reportedly only noticeable when the front bezel is removed.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial with black Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.”
  • “Dial is inscribed 'KENDAL & DENT / LONDON / MAKERS TO THE ADMIRALTY'.”
  • “gold coloured winding button strong top silver loop with Hallmarks”
  • “small chip on edge of the dial 1-2 O'clock only noticeable when the front bezel removed”

Case Construction and Movement Details

According to dealer documentation, the solid silver case features an inner dust cover and bears Chester assay hallmarks dating it to the Edwardian period in 1905. The case exterior includes a plain cartouche, with the dealer reporting intact hinges without splits or previous repairs.

The interior mechanism is described by the seller as bearing the stamp 'Makers to the Admiralty', mirroring the inscription found across the dial. The seller reports that the movement has been serviced and is running and keeping time; however, caliber specifics, jeweling, escapement configuration, and internal movement photographs are not documented in the listing.

Evidence for this section
  • “dated Edwardian Chester 1905”
  • “Case all good , plain cartouche ,case hinges prefect no spilts or repairs , with inner dust cover”
  • “Kendal & Dent great watch maker who made for the Admiralty which is stamped on the watch movement and watch dial”
  • “All in excellent condition with the watch having just been serviced so running fine and keeping time”

Associated Box and Albert Chain

The watch is accompanied by a silver Albert chain, with the seller stating that each link is hallmarked. Attached is a silver fob that the dealer dates to circa 1910.

Housing the ensemble is a retailer case from Mappin & Webb London, lined in dark blue velvet and cream-colored silk in the lid inscribed with the retailer's details. The seller asserts that the watch would have originally been sold by Mappin & Webb, though independent documentary proof is not provided in the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “Housed in a fitted Mappin & Webb box lined with dark blue velvet and cream-colored silk inscribed with the retailer's details.”
  • “Silver Albert chain each link hallmarked with heavy silver grade fob c1910”
  • “Comes with a lovely original Mappin & Webb London watch box in excellent condition and the watch would have been sold by them”

Open research questions

  • What specific caliber, escapement configuration, and jewel count are present on the movement beneath the inner dust cover?
  • What maker's mark and exact date letter are stamped alongside the Chester town mark inside the case?
  • Does any documentary evidence or retailer ledger substantiate whether this Kendal & Dent watch was originally sold through Mappin & Webb?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Kendal & Dent Solid Silver Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerKendal & Dent“Solid Silver Kendal & Dent Pocket Watch”
Assay and DateChester 1905“dated Edwardian Chester 1905”
Dial InscriptionMakers to the Admiralty“Kendal & Dent great watch maker who made for the Admiralty which is stamped on the watch movement and watch dial”
Dial DescriptionWhite dial, black numerals, blue steel hands“Clear white dial , black numerals blue steel hands , small sweep second hand dial”
Chain and FobSilver Albert chain with silver fob circa 1910“Silver Albert chain each link hallmarked with heavy silver grade fob c1910”
Case FeaturesPlain cartouche and inner dust cover“plain cartouche ,case hinges prefect no spilts or repairs , with inner dust cover”
Winding ButtonGold-coloured winding button“gold coloured winding button”

Visible details

  • White dial with black Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.
  • Dial is inscribed 'KENDAL & DENT / LONDON / MAKERS TO THE ADMIRALTY'.
  • Open-face silver case with a gilt winding crown and round bow.
  • Housed in a fitted Mappin & Webb box lined with dark blue velvet and cream-colored silk inscribed with the retailer's details.
  • Accompanied by a graduated silver curb Albert chain, T-bar, and shaped shield fob.

Research qualifications

  • Source reports a small chip on the edge of the dial between 1 and 2 o'clock, noting it is only visible when the front bezel is removed.
  • Movement details and hallmarks are documented by the seller and not visible in the primary listing photograph.

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

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - Kendal & Dent Pocket Watch Albert Chain Box 1905 as703a564 / 987

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 2708a85ba9

Terms in this record

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

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