The present watch is a fine example of the Indian hunting scenes painted with such vigor by Champod. This particular scene is unusual in the genre because it depicts a lion instead of the more commonly seen tiger. For a discussion of watches made for the Chinese market, see: Antiquorum, Hong Kong, November 25, 2006, pages 196 - 201. P.-Amédée Champod Along with John Graff, Champod was one of the most celebrated enamel painters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, specializing in hunting scenes. In his autobiography, which has been preserved by his descendants, he writes that he wanted to be a painter of large format scenes, but that economic realities led him to painting on enamel. He studied with Huguenin, Sauerländer, and Charles Glardon, who had the strongest impact on his future style. Champod dropped out of school at eleven and at sixteen began working. At the Paris Exhibition of 1900 Champod received a silver medal. His technique was outstanding, the sense of dynamics in his compositions was unrivaled. Bovet
Awatchmaking dynasty founded by Edouard, Frédéric, Alphonse, Gustave, Charles-Henri, and Caroline Bovet, of Fleurier. In 1822, a partnership was founded for the Chinese watch trade in Canton. In 1840, Bovet Frères et Cie was established in Fleurier, and in 1864, the manufactory was sold to Bovet?s 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 had been an apprentice in Fritz Bovet?s Fleurier workshop, 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 Chaux-de-Fonds bought the Bovet brand, 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 the world over. Eager to maintain its historical roots in the Far East, the company has subsidiaries in Hong Kong and Japan, and delivers to select distributors in Singapore, Taiwan, the Middle East, Turkey, Russia, the United States, London, and Geneva.