Only Online Auction
Geneva, Dec 08, 2022
LOT 28
Bovet
Pocket watch, centre-seconds, made for the Chinese market; silver, enamel and pearls
CHF 1,500 - 3,000
EUR 1,550 - 3,100 / USD 1,600 - 3,200 / HKD 12,500 - 24,900
Sold: CHF 2,500
Silver, enamel and pearl-set, open-face, key-winding, round-shaped, pocket watch, with centre-seconds, made for the Chinese market.
Royal blue flinquéenamel (translucent enamel over guilloché engine-turning) case-back, with polychrome painting on enamel showing the portrait of a young Western woman, in bust, looking to the left; bezels set with half-pearls.
White enamel dial, with radial Roman numerals and gold “paillons” décor; blued steel “Spade” hands.
Movement 21’’’, gilded brass, engraved Chinese-style, going barrel, lateral equilibrated lever escapement, compensated balance with gold poising screws and steel flat hairspring, polished steel index regulator.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Brand Bovet, Fleurier (Val-de-Travers)
Model made for the Chinese market
Year circa 1880
Case No. 83 328 (with prestige hallmarks imitating a London letter-date “J”, which, in fact, doesn’t exist)
Material silver, enamel and pearls
Caliber 21’’’, lateral equilibrated lever escapement
Dimensions 56.2 mm.
Weight 117.6 gr. (approx.)
Signature case (Chinese Bovet’s trademark)
Notes
Prestige hallmarks
British hallmarks were sometimes faked or imitated, especially in the 18th and early 19th centuries when English watchmaking enjoyed a reputation as the finest there was. Marks looking like British hallmarks were out into watchcases to lead people to think that a watch was of English make. Sometimes pseudo ‘‘hallmarks’’, marks that were meant to look somewhat like hallmarks without trying to be out-and-out fake hallmarks, were stamped in order to make a case look more impressive.