Dent (clocks and watches) Dent (clocks and watches) Dent was a London manufacturer of luxury clocks and watches, founded by Edward John Dent. Dent began making watches in 1814, although it wasn’t until 1876 that the Dent triangular trade mark was registered. Perhaps the company’s biggest coup is winning the contract to make the clock for the new palace of Westminster – or Big Ben as it’s more commonly known. Edward John Dent (1790-1853) discovered his passion for horology from his cousin, Richard Rippon, himself a master watchmaker. Dent established his own company in 1814, and developed a reputation as a builder of accurate
Duties on Clocks and Watches Act 1797 Duties on Clocks and Watches Act 1797 The Duties on Clocks and Watches Act 1797 (38 Geo. III, c. 108) was an Act of Parliament passed by the Parliament of Kingdom of Great Britain. During the last three decades of the eighteenth century, the price of watches declined and consequently they increased in popularity. William Pitt, the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer, decided to tax watches and clocks. The Act taxed gold watches at 10 shillings and silver and other metal watches at 2s. 6d. The Act also required makers or dealers in watches and clocks to purchase