Joseph Godfrey, Sudbury

• Movement: gilded full plate, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved balance cock, movement stop slide at 3 o’clock, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, signed and numbered Josh. Godfrey, Sudbury, 5968
• Dial: with polychrome enamel centre depicting a lakeside scene with a fisherman, sailing boat, a driver with his horse in the foreground and a windmill with four gold sails forming the subsidiary seconds, outer white chapter ring for the hours with Arabic numerals and a minute ring, gold spade hands
• Case: silver inner, the back with monogram ‘LB’ dated March 19, 1808, long cylindrical pendant, plain outer case, both cases hallmarked 1807 and with maker’s mark TB incuse for Thomas Bligh

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 341, pl. 216

Movement running at time of cataloguing, hand setting and stop slide operational. Attractive dial with small hairline between 1 and 2 o'clock, another small hairline between 9 and 10 o'clock. Inner case with denting around the band consistent with seated position in outer case. Outer case with light indentations. Covers close securely.
"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."

Appropriately signed by a Sudbury maker, since the dial scene certainly reminds one of the Suffolk countryside, the present watch is an excellent and early example of this type of painted dial watch. The charming pastoral scene is dominated by the windmill, the sails of which form the subsidiary seconds.