86 Bovet A very refined and striking Open face center-seconds pocket watch in yellow gold, ornated with enamel and natural pearls, made for the Chinese market
Estimate: CHF 14,000 – 28,000
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| Model | Pocket Watch |
|---|---|
| Case Material | Yellow gold, polychrome enamel and pearls |
| Year | circa 1850's |
| Movement | Manual, jewelled |
| Case N° | 343 |
| Movement N° | 343 |
| Dimensions | 56mm Diameter |
| Signed | Case and movement |
In superb condition, this remarkable timepiece stands as a prime example of the opulent enamel watches that Bovet created for the Chinese market. The story of Bovet’s iconic Chinese market pieces began with Edouard Bovet, a Swiss watchmaker born in Fleurier in 1797. At just 21, Edouard arrived in Canton in 1818, where he immediately made an impressive sale of four watches for 10,000 francs, equivalent to around one million US dollars today. His success led him to settle in Canton, where, in 1822, he established a trading company with his brothers while also setting up a branch in London. The name “Bo Wei,” or “Bo-vay,” quickly became synonymous with high-quality watches. During the late Manchu dynasty, Bovet timepieces were so revered that they circulated throughout China, sometimes even being used as a form of currency. Meanwhile, Bovet’s hometown of Fleurier became the heart of watchmaking for the Chinese market, with multiple Swiss manufacturers exclusively catering to this booming demand. Bovet’s Chinese watches, famed for their elegance, were intricately decorated pocket watches, often sold in symmetrical pairs. The cases were adorned with exquisite enamel miniatures, like the present example depicting a young mother with her son, alongside intricate cloisonné and champlevé designs and natural pearl-set borders. Bovet also specialized in the art of engraving and skeletonizing movements, further elevating the allure of these luxurious timepieces among their elite Mandarin clientele. Almost two centuries later, these beautifully crafted watches continue to captivate collectors, maintaining their position as timeless pieces of horological artistry.
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GENEVAEternity Gallery, Place de Longemalle 19
9 – 10 May, from 10 AM to 7 PM
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