By examining its style, case ornamentation, hand design, and movement caliber, it becomes evident that this watch bears a striking resemblance to timepieces produced during the same era by Jaquet-Droz specifically for the Chinese market. It is highly likely that this watch was crafted in Switzerland, quite possibly within the esteemed workshop of Jaquet-Droz. During the time of its creation, Jaquet-Droz stood as the preeminent Swiss workshop for watches destined for China or presented to the Emperor and Chinese dignitaries visiting Europe on official matters.

Pierre Jaquet-Droz
Hailing from La Chaux-de-Fonds, Pierre Jaquet-Droz initially delved into mathematics and theology before immersing himself in the world of horology. Establishing a company focused on crafting exquisite horological, automaton, and musical pieces, he sent his son, Henri-Louis (1752-1791), to study a diverse range of subjects in Ancy, France, including mathematics, physics, music, and drawing. Subsequently, Henri-Louis joined forces with the firm, where Jean Frédéric Leschot (1746-1824) was already actively contributing. This collaboration led to the formation of the partnership known as Jaquet-Droz & Leschot. In 1784, the company relocated from La Chaux-de-Fonds to Geneva.

During the late 1770s, Jaquet-Droz gained widespread acclaim across Europe for their exceptional automata, featuring renowned creations like the Writer, the Draughtsman, and the Lady Musician. In the 1780s, they pioneered singing bird boxes and earned a stellar reputation for intricate clocks, Neuchâtel clocks, and automaton timepieces. Jaquet-Droz played a pivotal role in introducing complex timepieces to Geneva. Initially, the company primarily engaged in exporting luxurious and uniquely complicated watches, along with the production of mechanical singing birds. These extraordinary items were destined for the Chinese market and distributed through English merchants. To streamline this trade, a London branch was established in 1783, managed by Henry Maillardet. This branch supplied splendid watches to Cox and Beale, successors to J. Cox & Son in Canton, renowned for providing luxury watches and clocks to the Chinese market.

While many watches intended for the Chinese market, distributed through London, remained unsigned or bore the signature of Henry Maillardet or other makers, they were, in fact, crafted in Switzerland within the workshop of Pierre Jaquet-Droz. The legacy continued as Pierre Jaquet-Droz passed away in Bienne in 1790, followed by Henri-Louis Jaquet-Droz in Naples in 1791. Jean Frédéric Leschot assumed leadership of the firm after the demise of Henri-Louis Jaquet-Droz.