30,680 HKD
“Pair of Large Silver Watches” Bovet, Fleurier, No. 8608 & 8670. Made for the Chinese market, circa 1875. Very fine, pair of silver pocket watches with center seconds, and original morocco fitted case, key and spare crystal. Two-body, “Consular”, polished, spring-loaded and glazed cuvette. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute and seconds divisions and Arabic 15 minute/second numerals. Blued steel “ovoid” hands. 48 mm (21’’), gilded and entirely foliate engraved, “Chinese” caliber, 16 jewels, free-standing barrel, counterpoised lateral lever escapement, monometallic balance, blued steel self-compensating flat balance spring, index regulator. Dials, cases and movements signed Bovet in Chinese characters, the movements also signed Bovet, Fleurier. Diam. 57 mm. Notes For a discussion of watches made for the Chinese market, see pages 196 - 201. Bovet A watchmaking dynasty founded by Edouard, Frédéric, Alphonse, Gustave, Charles-Henri, and Caroline Bovet, of Fleurier. In 1822, a Bovet partnership was founded for the Chinese watch trade in Canton. In 1840, Bovet Frères et Cie was established in Fleurier, and in 1864, the Bovet watch production was sold to Bovet’s manufacturing inspectors in Fleurier, Jules Jéquier and Ernest Bobillier, soon joined by Ami Leuba. In 1888, Bovet Frères was founded under the direction of Alexis Landry, who served his apprenticeship in Fritz Bovet’s workshop in Fleurier, producing ebauches for Chinese watches and silver cases. Alexis L
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2003-11-25
