Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...
Hong Kong, Jun 27, 2009
LOT 377
The Flower Girls - Mirror Image Pair Bovet, Fleurier, No. 504 & 508. Made for the Chinese market, circa 1835. Very fine and rare, mirror-image pair of gilt-metal, painted on enamel and pearl-set center-seconds pocket watches with two keys and a fitted tortoiseshell veneered box.
HKD 170,000 - 230,000
USD 25,000 - 33,000 / EUR 17,000 - 23,000
Sold: HKD 264,000
C. Three-body, the bezels, pendant and bow decorated with split-pearls, the back panels painted with opposing scenes of a lady and child gathering flowers in a woodland glade, translucent royal blue guilloche ground. Hinged and sprung engraved cuvette hinged to the movement ring. D. White enamel, convex with radial narrow Roman numerals, outer minutes/seconds divisions, Arabic quarter hour numerals. Gold ovoid hands. M. Identical gilt movements, Chinese caliber with fully foliate engraved plate and bridges, standing barrel, jeweled to the center, lateral lever escapement, three-arm monometallic balance with peripheral weights and screws, flat balance spring and index regulator. Movements signed. Diam. 58 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 3 |
Good |
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. 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 Chauxde- Fonds bought the Bovet brand from Leuba Brothers, 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.