James Poynard, Strood

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced balance cock engraved with a plume of feathers and grotesque mask at the neck, the silver regulation disc with applied gilded indicator in the form of a ruffed hand, flat three-arm balance, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, signed and numbered Jas. Poynard, Strood, 1809
• Dial: white enamel Franklin type, divided into quarters at 12 o'clock XII, IIII, VIII, at 3 o'clock I, V, IX, at 6 o'clock II, VI, X, at 9 o'clock III, VII, XI, further inner division to indicate current cycle with short indication hand
• Cases: plain silver pair cases, the inner with winding aperture to back, both cases hallmarked 1808 and with maker's mark WH incuse for William Hodsall or Hammon
  

Christie's New York, Fine Watches, Clocks and Scientific Instruments, 8th April 1984, lot 232
Time Museum Rockford Illinois, Inventory No. 3672
Sotheby's New York, Masterpieces from the Time Museum, Part II, 19th June 2002, lot 19

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 346, pl. 220

Movement will just run for short periods at time of cataloguing, but appears clean. The dial with hairline cracks running through the centre and with repaired chip to the centre. Cases with light scuffs and some minor indentations. Since its sale at Sotheby's auction of the Time Museum, the hands have been replaced with those of a style more in keeping with the period
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Known as a Franklin dial, this unique configuration was invented by Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) in an attempt to simplify the mechanism of a clock. Franklin visited London many times and developed a friendship with James Ferguson, the astronomer. Ferguson designed many astronomical clocks and most likely inspired Benjamin Franklin to try his hand. He designed his simplified clock in 1757. On the clock, the minute hand revolves once every four hours, while a ball bearing, on a spiral track at the centre of the dial, indicates the hours. The clock was originally mentioned in Ferguson’s Select Mechanical Exercises (1773). This watch is a very rare example of the application of a Franklin dial to a watch. Whilst the minutes are indicated as normal to the outer ring, the 12 Roman hour numerals are grouped in threes at each quarter and are read in sequence off the spade hour hand. The short central hand indicates the group to be read, either 1, 2 or 3.