The present timepiece is one of the exceedingly rare English watches with an independent dead seconds mechanism, enhanced by the additional split seconds mechanism. It is operated in three steps, via a single push button in the band: 1st push - to start both hands regardless of whether they are split or not; 2nd push - to split; 3rd push - to stop. The two time zone indications are an additional particularity of this rare watch.

The independent dead seconds mechanism requires two wheel trains and two barrels, one for the movement and one for the sweep centre seconds hand, wound simultaneously by a single stem winding mechanism. It allows the seconds hand or hands to be stopped without stopping the main train in order not to interfere with the accuracy of timekeeping. The invention of this mechanism is attributed to Moise Pouzait, Geneva 1776.

The firm E. Dent & Co. was originally founded by the English watchmaker Edward John Dent (1790 - 1853), renowned for his high quality pocket and marine chronometers, regulators as well as large clocks he made for the Royal Exchange and Westminster (Big Ben). He worked in the workshops of Vulliamy and Paul Philippe Barraud and went into partnership with the famous John Roger Arnold 1830. When the partnership of "Arnold & Dent" expired in 1840, he established himself at 82 Strand (later moving to 61) and also took workshops at 34 Cockspur Street and inside the Royal Exchange. After Edward John's death, the businesses were taken over by his stepsons Frederick and Richard, followed by their successors. The company's name was consequently changed to E. Dent & Co.