Information

*NOT FOR SALE*

E.J. Dent eight day (regulator clock), signed on the dial: "Dent, London,  Clockmaker to the Queen" and numbered: "705" circa 1855.  The clock has a 12 inch silver dial with subsidiary second and subsidiary 24 hour dials with sweep minute hand. The movement is beautifully polished and has five pillars and is signed and numbered on the back-plate.  The movement has a dead beat escapement with jeweled palates, Harrison's maintaining power, high pinion count with six-spoke wheel crossings and counter balanced minute hand.  The clock retains its original bronze six point pulley and weight.  The clock retains its original Dent steel pendulum with mercury filled polish steeled cannister with a fine graduated rating nut and timing tray on the rod.  The clock retains its original key which is numbered: "705". The clock has a beautiful mahogany shallow break-arch case with glazed inspection windows at each side and a dome skylight at the top.  The hinge door is double locking and has a dust felt seal.  The glazed front door has a brass winding aperture.  The backboard has Dent's English Inches Scale and beat scale. (Cl-585) 
Condition:  The movement has been recently overhauled and is in fine running condition.  The case has a few minor age cracks and it has a beautiful patina. 
Reference I:  Vaudrey Mercer's book on Dent indicates that regulators 517 to 1503 were made between 1840-53. 
Reference II:  Mercer, Tony, "Chronometer Makers of the World", Colchester, Essex: N.A.G. Press Ltd., 1991, pp.128,129. Edward  John Dent was born in 1790 and died in 1853.  Probably the greatest accomplishment of his career was receiving the commission from the Board of Longitude to build a great clock of the Houses of Parliament fondly referred to as "BIG BEN" and probably the most famous clock in the world.  Dent was in partnership with John Roger Arnold from 1830 to 1840 and set-up on his own in 1840 at 64 Strand.  In 1828, Dent's chronometer No.114 won first prize at Premium Trials with a variation of 1/2 second in 12 months for which the admiralty awarded a price of L300.  Dent's chronometers were used on many explorations in Polar regions and in the Tropics.  Number 1800 was owned by David Livingston during his African travels.  The Royal  Warrant was granted in 1841 as "Chronometer Maker to the Queen and HRH Prince Albert".  Dent was an eloquent man continually writing to horological and scientific journals and he took out many patents.  Dent trained many of the later great chronometer makers such as Kullberg, Johannsen and Mercer. 
Dimensions:  Height 53 inches; Width 15 inches; Depth 8 1/2 inches.