LONDON, March 20, 2011 / — Much has been made lately of the return to ‘simple classicism’ in watchmaking, but for Dent London the idea of form following function has been the foundation of the company’s ethos for almost 200 years.

The latest manifestation of that belief is the new Dent Denison, a classic, three-handed wristwatch made in the finest English tradition. Based on an earlier Dent design that was originally available during the 1920s and ’30s, the Denison is a supremely elegant gentleman’s watch which will be made in a limited edition of 100 pieces in 18 carat rose gold and 100 pieces in 18 carat white gold.

The delectable cushion case houses a crisp, white dial bearing hand-applied Breguet numerals and providing a small date aperture at three o’clock. The dial is complemented by ‘teardrop’ hour and minute hands and a straight seconds hand, each made from steel which is ‘blued’ in the traditional English method.

But it is only by turning one’s attention to the underside of the Denison that its true horological roots can be fully appreciated. An ‘officer’ style case back (which provides a perfect blank canvas for engravement and personalization) hinges open to reveal an internal plate sporting a meticulously hand-engraved pattern in the style of the great English designer William Morris.

A semi-circular crystal reveals details of the exquisitely-made automatic movement – Dent’s first totally new movement for around 60 years – which is based on a classic English lever escapement design. Again, the winding rotor is embellished with Morris-style engraving while the plates and bridges carry the very signature of traditional English watchmaking in the form of a frosted finish. Fully wound, the movement offers a power reserve of 42 hours.

Each Dent Denison is hand made to order and requires a lead time of six months to complete.