The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 372

A Lemanic LandscapeBovet, Fleurier, No. 286, enamel in the style of J-L. Richter, circa 1830.Very fine 18 ct. gold and enamel, centre seconds watch with special escapement, made for the Chinese market.

CHF 13,000 - 16,000

USD 8,000 - 10,000

Sold: CHF 69,000

C. Four-body, spring-loaded back with a very finely painted enamel medallion depicting a seascape with a Genevese sailing boat in the foreground and mountains in the background, the pendant and bow pearl-set with blue champlevé enamel decoration, hinged glazed gold cuvette. D. White enamel with radial Roman chapters and outer minute and seconds markers. Blued-steel 'spoon' hands. M. 47mm o, gilt brass fully engraved 'Chinese' calibre, 11 jewels, free-standing barrel, ruby duplex escapement, uncubimetallic three-arm balance, flat blued-steel balance spring.Signed on the movement.Diam. 56 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 328-329.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 18
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

BovetFor a biography, see the following lot.Richter Jean LouisFor a biography, see page 448.BovetOne of the most successful Swiss horological dynasties, established by four brothers from Fleurier. Three of the brothers, Edouard, Frédéric, and Alphonse, first set up a business in London in 1815, making watches for the domestic market. In 1818 Edouard was hired by the maison Magniac to be a watchmaker for them in Canton. In 1822, having realized the great possibilities of the Chinese market, the Bovets established their own company in China, Edouard remaining in Canton, Frédéric (born 1786) ad Alphonse (1788-1850) working out of London, and Gustave (1790-1849) out of their home town, Fleurier. The youngest Bovet brother, Charles-Henri (born 1802), later joined the company as well. Affairs prospered, the name 'Bovet' becoming almost synonymous with the word 'watch' for the Chinese. Among the signatures on these watches, one often finds the name Bovet translated into Chinese, as well as the name 'Tevob' ('Bovet' spelled backwards). In 1830 Edouard left China, returning to Fleurier withis Chinese son Edouard-Georges, after having become a very rich man in the Orient.Literature: 'La montre Chinoise', Alfred Chapuis.