Bovet, London, No. 680, made for the Chinese market, circa 1825. Extremely fine 18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl and turquoise set, center seconds watch, with special escapement. The enamel scene attributed to Victor Dupont. | Important Wristwatches, Watches & Clocks | Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, 11th April 1992

Important Wristwatches, Watches & Clocks

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 11, 1992

LOT 535

Bovet, London, No. 680, made for the Chinese market, circa 1825. Extremely fine 18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl and turquoise set, center seconds watch, with special escapement. The enamel scene attributed to Victor Dupont.

CHF 180,000 - 200,000

Sold: CHF 182,250

C. Triple body Empire case with champleve enamelled decoration on the band, pendant and boa.,, the bezels set with alternate split pearls and groups or four turquoises. The back with a magnificent painted scene, depicting a young lady, reading the letter of her boyfriend, giving way to temptation for the purse presented to her by an old man. Hinged glazed gold cuvette. D. White enamel with Roman numerals. M. 21-, gilt brass, Lepine caliber, entirely engraved, with free standing barrel, duplex escapement, three armed balance, flat balance spring with ruby endstone. Signed on the movement. In very good condition. Diam. 56mm.

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Notes

Such watches, made for the Chinese market were sold by pair, with identical but symmetrical painted scenes, facing each other. The second watch of this pair, appears to be in the H. Wilsdorf collection. It is described and illustrated by A. Chapuis in Montres et émaux de Genève, the catalog of the collection, Genève, 1944, pl. 31, pages 161 to 164, in which, Chapuis attribute the enamel to Victor Dupont (1785-1863) the famous Geneva enamele