Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 15, 2016

LOT 197

BOVET ENAMEL FANCY BIRDS GOLD MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET Bovet, Fleurier, No. 496. Made for the Chinese market, circa 1835. Very fine and important 18K gold and painted on enamel center-seconds watch with duplex escapement, made for the Chinese market

CHF 30,000 - 60,000

HKD 240,000 - 480,000 / USD 31,000 - 63,000

Sold: CHF 117,750

Two-body, "Chinese" type, the back enamel panel finely painted Enamel scene depicting two colorful wild birds one on the ground, the other resting on foliage with a cloudy sky in the background. manner of Dufaux, the bezels decorated with light blue and red flowers enamel, pendant and bow decorated with black enamel decoration, Hinged gold- rimmed glazed cuvette. White enamel with radial Roman numerals and outer minute and seconds ring, outer Arabic quarter hour numerals. Blue steel "spade" hands. Gilt brass, Chinese caliber with free-standing barrel, duplex escapement, bimetallic compensation three-arm balance with blued steel weights, blued steel flat balance-spring, index regulator. Movement signed, case numbered


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

DIAM. 55 mm. 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 Landry formed a partnership with Albert and Jean Bovet, specializing in complicated watches and chronographs. In 1901, the Bovet trademark was acquired by César and Charles Leuba, sons of Ami Leuba. In 1918, Jacques Ullmann & Co. of La Chauxde- Fonds bought the Bovet brand from Leuba Brothers, and in 1948, Favre-Leuba took over the company and acquired the first production plant. In 1966 Favre-Leuba sold the Fleurier plant, and in 1989 Parmigiani acquired the Bovet name. A limited company registered as Bovet Fleurier S.A. was formed in 1990, using the Bovet trademark. In 1994, Roger Guye and a partner bought Bovet Fleurier S.A. and opened a branch in Geneva. Pascal Raffy became the majority shareholder and President in 2001. Today, Bovet timepieces are widely available in the world's major destinations. Eager to maintain its historical roots in the Far East, the company has subsidiaries in Hong Kong and Japan, and delivers its collection to select distributors in Singapore, Taiwan, the Middle East, Turkey, Russia, the United States, London, and Geneva.