Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Hong Kong, Jul 10, 2005

LOT 369

"Country Serenade" Edouard Juvet, Fleurier, No. 41975, the enamel probably Geneva. Made for the Chinese market, circa 1860. Very fine, 18K gold and painted on enamel pocket watch with duplex escapement and centre seconds.

HKD 270,000 - 350,000

EUR 28,000 - 35,000 / USD 35,000 - 45,000

Sold: HKD 322,000

C. Three-body, "Empire", the bezel decorated with red, black, blue and whiteenamel, sprung and hinged back cover with similarlydecorated border and finely painted on enamel scene of a seated shepherdplaying a flute with a shepherdess and her female companionlistening, in a wooded landscape with blue sky. Sprung and hinged goldcuvette. D. White enamel with radial Roman numeralsand outer minutes/seconds track, Arabic quarter hour numerals. "Ovoid"hands. M. Gilt "Chinese" caliber, foliate chased and engraved,hanging barrel, duplex escapement, bimetallic compensation balance withwedge-shaped polished steel weights, index regulator.Movement signed.Diam. 58.5 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 49
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

Notes

The painted on enamel scene decorating this watch owes its inspiration to the English romantic tradition of painting by such artists as William Hamilton. Hamilton painted a series of pictures of the four parts of the day, a watch decorated with "Evening" from this series was sold: Antiquorum, Geneva, March 31- April 1, 2001. Edouard & Léo Juvet One of the important Swiss horological families working for the Chinese market. Edouard Juvet (1820-1883) first established his workshop in Buttes in 1842, but in 1844 moved 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 prospered, 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 November 1875, and after his death in February 1883, Léo succeeded him at the head of the firm.