A Victorian 18ct gold keyless wind pocket watch by Dent, 33 Cockspur Street, London, the white...

A Victorian 18ct gold keyless wind pocket watch by Dent, 33 Cockspur Street, London, the white enamel dial with black Roman numerals surrounded by outer minute track, subsidiary seconds to six o'clock, the plain case with engraved monograms to front and reverse hallmarked London 1889, makers' mark EN believed to be that of Emil Neilsen, numbered 2886, fitted with a gilt three quarter plate movement numbered 30626 and signed Dent, Watchmaker to the Queen, 33 Cockspur Street, London. With unusual lever escapement, train jewelling up to the centre wheel, free sprung balance and bimetallic split compensated balance, the underside of the balance cock foot numbered 9 over stamping 8 0 8. Case diameter 50mm. With original box.

According to Baillie during the mid 19th century 33 Cockspur Street, London had been occupied by John Edward Dent, partner of Breguet's apprentice J. R. Arnold and renowned for his work on temperature compensation in chronometers, and was taken over by his son Richard after his death in 1853. Although the trail leads off here this striking coincidence may suggest the M. F. Dent "Chronometer maker to the Queen" named on the lid of the watch box could possibly be a descendant of the family. Emil Neilsen was a known watch case manufactory operating in London in 1889, the pendant bares the makers mark JC.