J. Dent Ottoman Era Watch

[abuccellato]

Hello! Can anyone tell me a little about this watch? I understand that the "J Dent" watches are fake/imitation of real Dent watches, however the one I have seems to have more authentic qualities than the imitations that I have seen online; e.g. my balance wheel appears to actually be balanced with real screws, the works doesn't have "J Dent" on it like other imitations I have seen, and it is stamped with something in Arabic script (something I have not seen on any imitation yet).

I would really like to know if anyone can tell me what the Arabic script says or means and what the hallmark (a T or an L?) stamped on the plate means.

I purchased this watch at a street market near the Black Sea in a small town in Bulgaria. Thank you!

 

[gmorse]

Hi abuccellato, and welcome to the forum,

...however the one I have seems to have more authentic qualities than the imitations that I have seen online; e.g. my balance wheel appears to actually be balanced with real screws...

This is a Swiss movement, embellished with a lot of cosmetic, non-functional jewels, (all those visible in steel settings), which appear to be endstones but are most probably coloured glass and don't have any practical function.

The balance wheel is only part cut so can't provide any temperature compensation and those screws aren't able to be adjusted for poising, so like the 'jewels' they're cosmetic.

The dial isn't aligned with the case properly, (the 12 is offset to the left), and may be a replica replacement, because the dial feet aren't visible next to their locking screws, (in the red circles). There's also a loose screw in the lower left circle, which may not even belong to this watch.



Regards,

Graham

 

[eric the bully]

Levantine Heritage Foundation: Research - Education - Preservation - Orosdi Back. It was signed by Etablissements Orosdi-Back important jewelry. The dial, obvious that is not the original one.
Regards enrico

 

[abuccellato]

Hi abuccellato, and welcome to the forum,


This is a Swiss movement, embellished with a lot of cosmetic, non-functional jewels, (all those visible in steel settings), which appear to be endstones but are most probably coloured glass and don't have any practical function.

The balance wheel is only part cut so can't provide any temperature compensation and those screws aren't able to be adjusted for poising, so like the 'jewels' they're cosmetic.

The dial isn't aligned with the case properly, (the 12 is offset to the left), and may be a replica replacement, because the dial feet aren't visible next to their locking screws, (in the red circles). There's also a loose screw in the lower left circle, which may not even belong to this watch.

View attachment 764814 View attachment 764813

Regards,

Graham

Thanks, I figured it was one of the swiss fakes based on other threads. That screw belongs in the hole in the upper right like you suspect, I haven't put it back yet.

I had a watch maker take it apart for me a long time ago. He said it wasn't in great condition; he may have messed up the dial while putting it back together.

Any thoughts on what the two markings mean?

 

[JTD]

Any thoughts on what the two markings mean?

The arabic script on your watch is one of the many logos used by Orosdi-Back (see post #3 above).

JTD

 

[abuccellato]

The arabic script on your watch is one of the many logos used by Orosdi-Back (see post #3 above).

JTD

I skipped over that post for some reason. Thank you!

 

[abuccellato]

Levantine Heritage Foundation: Research - Education - Preservation - Orosdi Back. It was signed by Etablissements Orosdi-Back important jewelry. The dial, obvious that is not the original one.
Regards enrico

Great info, thank you so much!