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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Kendal & Dent Sterling Silver Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This 1885 sterling silver pocket watch is signed by the London retailer Kendal & Dent. The watch measures 52 mm in diameter and weighs 121 g. It features an enamel dial with Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial, protected by a bevelled crystal. The movement is an English Lever type, which includes an engraved balance cock. The silver case displays British hallmarks for the year 1885 and contains an engraving reading "Gold Medal," referencing the 1885 Paris Exhibition. The watch is accompanied by an original antique winding key, a period advertising card, and a fitted watch box from Bravington's of Kings Cross, London. The case back is finished with a plain cartouche. The auction description reports that the movement is clean and functional, and the enamel dial is free from chips or hairline cracks.

A Kendal & Dent sterling silver pocket watch with its associated key and box.
A Kendal & Dent sterling silver pocket watch with its associated key and box. — Ashton-Blakey Vintage Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
ashton-blakey-antiques.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Kendal & Dent
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1885
Source-reported place
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

Case and Dial

The pocket watch is housed in a sterling silver case measuring 52 mm in diameter. The exterior of the case back is characterized by a plain cartouche. The watch glass is a crystal with a bevelled edge. The inner case is engraved with the words "Gold Medal." The watch is hallmarked with British assay marks for 1885.

The watch face consists of an enamel dial featuring Roman numerals for the hour markers and a subsidiary seconds sub-dial. The auction description states that the dial is free from chips and hairline cracks. Both case hinges are described as being in good condition.

Evidence for this section
  • “The inner case is engraved “Gold Medal,” and the watch carries lovely clear British hallmarks for 1885.”
  • “The enamel dial is without chips or hairline cracks, and both case hinges are perfectly fine.”
  • “The crystal watch glass has a bevelled edge, and the back of the case shows light age with a plain cartouche.”

Movement and Function

The watch is equipped with an English Lever movement. A detail visible within the movement is a decorative, engraved balance cock. The watch is designed to be wound with a key, and an original antique winding key is included with the object.

According to the auction description, the movement is in a clean state and is keeping time. The mechanism remains functional.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch features an English Lever movement, clean and working fine, keeping time well. You will see a very beautifully engraved balance cock.”

Provenance and Accessories

The watch is accompanied by an antique winding key and a coloured advertising card dating to the period of the watch's origin. The object is presented in a watch box attributed to the retailer Bravington's of Kings Cross, London.

The listing notes that Bravington's may have retailed watches for Kendal & Dent, suggesting the box might be original to the watch. The overall set is associated with the 1885 Paris Exhibition.

Evidence for this section
  • “complete with the original antique Kendal & Dent watch key and a beautifully embossed, coloured advertising card from that period.”
  • “Comes with a Bravington's of Kings Cross, London watch box, quite possibly original, as they did retail for Kendal & Dent.”

Open research questions

  • What specific award, if any, was granted to Kendal & Dent at the 1885 Paris Exhibition?
  • Can the specific British hallmarks be traced to a particular assay office?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Kendal & Dent Sterling Silver Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerKendal & Dent“Kendal & Dent”
Case MaterialSterling silver“sterling silver”
Movement TypeEnglish Lever“English Lever movement”
Diameter52 mm“52 mm diameter”
HallmarksBritish hallmarks for 1885“clear British hallmarks for 1885”

Visible details

  • Engraved balance cock visible on the movement
  • Bevelled crystal watch glass
  • Plain cartouche on the case back
  • Bravington's of Kings Cross box included

Research qualifications

  • Association of the watch box as original to the watch is speculative
  • The "Gold Medal" engraving on the inner case requires independent verification of its historical source

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

Consulted source

ساعت جیبی نقره Kendal & Dent مدال طلا نمایشگاه پاریس ۱۸۸۵

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 1570e0234f

Terms in this record

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

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