16,675 CHF
Léo Juvet, Shanghai, No. 224875 & No. 224876. Made for the Chinese market, circa 1875. Very fine, pair of silver pocket watches with center seconds, and original morocco fitted case, keys and spare crystals. Two-body, “Consular”, polished, spring-loaded and glazed cuvette. 47 mm (21’’), gilded and entirely foliate engraved, “Chinese” calibre, 16 jewels, free-standing barrel, counterpoised lateral lever escapement, bimetallic compensation balance, white metal flat balance spring, index regulator. Dials, cases and movements signed Juvet in Chinese characters. Diam. 55 mm. Notes The present watch features double indications: outermost, the twelve traditional Chinese hours; innermost, the 24-hour Roman indication. In such watches, the movement is designed to ensure that the hour hand makes two revolutions per day. Although most of the watches and snuffboxes destined for the Chinese market were made in pairs, the majority of them were separated. It is rare to find a pair still together. Juvet One of the important Swiss horological families working for the Chinese market. Edouard Juvet (1820-1883) first established his workshop in Buttes in 1842, but in 1844 moved to Fleurier. He began making "Chinese" watches in 1856. Edouard’s sons Ami-Louis and Léo travelled to China to work in the family firm. When Ami-Louis died there, Léo (1848-1891) took his place. In Shanghai, the Juvets were rivaled only by the Bovets, yet the two families maintained friendly relations. The Maison
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2005-10-16
