Kendal & Dent The London Lever Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1912
This English pocket watch by Kendal & Dent is a sterling silver key-wind, key-set timepiece dating to 1912. The watch features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial, and gold-colored hands, signed "KENDAL & DENT MAKERS TO THE ADMIRALTY" and "THE LONDON LEVER".
The movement is housed in a silver case featuring a plain cartouche on the reverse, with a diameter of 52mm. The watch is accompanied by an antique winding key and a 13-inch sterling silver chain, which includes hallmarks of the British Lion passant on its links. The auction description reports the watch is in fine working condition, noting minor marks on the outer bezel.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Key wind key set pocket watch
- Maker
- Kendal & Dent
- Diameter
- 52mm
- Chain length
- 13 inches
- Hallmark date
- 1912
- Dial signature
- The London Lever
- Place recorded
- England
- Maker / attribution
- Kendal & Dent
- Included accessories
- Antique key and silver chain
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is housed in a silver case, measuring 52mm in diameter. The reverse of the case features a decorative engine-turned pattern surrounding a plain central cartouche designed for personal engraving. The interior of the case back shows evidence of British silver hallmarks. The dial is constructed of white enamel and displays black Roman numerals for the hour track, with a recessed subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the 6 o'clock marker. The watch uses gold-colored hands and features the inscription "KENDAL & DENT MAKERS TO THE ADMIRALTY" along with the model name "THE LONDON LEVER" printed on the dial surface. The lower portion of the dial is marked "SWISS MADE".
- Visible features
- • Subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock position • Key-wind and key-set mechanism accessible via case back • Sterling silver chain with T-bar • Engine-turned decoration on the case back with central cartouche
- Movement and Functionality
- The timepiece is a key-wind and key-set model. Access to the movement's winding and setting arbors is gained by opening the hinged rear dust cover of the case. The arrangement of the arbors indicates the traditional manual interface for watches of this period, requiring a separate key to manipulate the mainspring and the hands. The vendor states that the watch is in fine working condition. No details regarding the caliber, jewel count, or escapement type are provided in the documentation.
- Provenance and Accessories
- The object is accompanied by an antique winding key and a 13-inch sterling silver chain. The chain is noted for being original to the period, with each link bearing the British Lion passant hallmark, indicating sterling silver purity. The watch is marketed by Ashton-Blakey Vintage Watches. The accompanying documentation links the maker, Kendal & Dent, to historical contracts with the British Admiralty and other institutional commissions, though the specific service history of this individual unit is not documented.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Condition of internal movement not visible in photographs
- Research required: Unverified exact manufacture location due to 'SWISS MADE' mark on dial