Bovet, Fleurier (Swiss), No. 8325, made for the Chinese Market, circa 1850. Fine and unusual silver centre seconds watch with 24 hour dial also indicating the Chinese hours. | Important Watches, Wristwatches and Clocks | Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, 12th April 1997

Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 12, 1997

LOT 387

Bovet, Fleurier (Swiss), No. 8325, made for the Chinese Market, circa 1850. Fine and unusual silver centre seconds watch with 24 hour dial also indicating the Chinese hours.

CHF 800 - 1,000

Sold: CHF 1,495

C. Three body, "Chinese" with fixed bezel, polished. Hinged glazed silver cuvette. D. White enamel with Chinese characters, concentric Roman 24 hour ring and outer Chinese minute ring. Blued steel "spade " hands. M. Gilt brass, Chinese calibre with free standing barrel by Guinand, fully engraved with scrolled foliage, lateral lever escapement, three-arm balance with wedge shaped and partly blued steel weights, flat balance spring and regulator. Signed Ina in Chinese characters on the case and movement. In very good condition. Diam. 55 mm.

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According to Alfred Chapuis in La Montre CIiinoise, pp. 135-136, Ina was the Chinese signature for Felix Guinand at the Brenets (Switzerland). Around 1840, this signature was used by Guinand and his sons, on watches produced exclusively for Bovet. Watches with the same Chinese Trade Mark were also produced iii Fleurier from 1864 onwards. Due to their relatively low price they were very popular in China.