Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Nov 16, 2008

LOT 244

Spring Bouquet Bovet, Fleurier, No. 399. Made for the Chinese market, circa 1835. Fine, 18K gold and painted on enamel center-seconds pocket watch with mirror-polished movement and duplex escapement.

CHF 25,000 - 30,000

USD 23,000 - 28,000 / EUR 16,000 - 20,000

C. Two-body, the bezels, pendant and bow decorated with turquoise, red, blue and green champlevé enamel and gold flowers and leaves, the back panel painted with a fine composition of spring flowers on a turquoise ground. Hinged gold-rimmed glazed cuvette. D.White enamel with radial narrow Roman numerals, outer minutes/seconds divisions, Arabic quarter hour numerals. Blued steel spade hands. M. Mirror-polished "Chinese" caliber with mirror polished wheel train and bridges, standing barrel, jeweled to the center, single wheel duplex escapement, three-arm bimetallic compensation balance with wedge shaped brass weights with blued steel caps, flat balance spring and index regulator. Movement signed. Diam. 58 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-29

Good

Lacking elements
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

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.