Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Jun 14, 2003

LOT 196

Chivalry Edouard Juvet, Fleurier, No. 46344, made for the Chinese market circa 1860. Fine 18K gold and painted on enamel center-seconds watch with special escapement.

CHF 30,000 - 40,000

EUR 20,000 - 27,000 / USD 24,000 - 31,000

Sold: CHF 40,250

C. Two-body, "Chinese" style, spring-loaded back finely painted on enamel with a couple in the countryside, the gentleman helping the lady to cross a stream, gold engraved cuvette hinged to the movement ring, bezels with champlevé enamel with repeated pattern of white flowers on scarlet translucent ground. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions with fifteen-minute Arabic markers. Gilt "spoon" hands. M. 47 mm. (21'''), gilt brass, fully engraved "Chinese" caliber, 11 jewes, free-standing barrel, ruby duplex escapement, five-arm plain steel balance, blued-steel balance spring, diamond endstone.Signed on the movement.Diam. 57 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

Edouard & Léo Juvet. One of the important Swiss horological families working for the Chinese market. Edouard Juvet 1820-1883 was first established in Buttes in 1842, but in 1844 moved his workshop to Fleurier. He began making "Chinese" watches in 1856. Edouard's sons Ami-Louis and Léo traveled to China to work in the family firm. When Ami-Louis died there, Léo 1848-1891 took his place. In Shanghai, the Juvets were rivaled only by the Bovets, yet the two families maintained friendly relations. The Maison Juvet pr spered, opening branches in Tien-tsin and Saigon, to the extent that in 1872 Léo wrote : "Our watches sell like salt". In 1873, Edouard Juvet registered a trademark in Chinese characters which was used on the company's products. He granted his son Léo power of attorney in ovember 1875, and after his death in February 1883, Léo succeeded him at the head of the firm.