Swiss pair of watches made for the Chinese market Circa 1840

Silver open faced pair of verge watches by Bovet
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A Swiss pair of small silver open faced verge pocket watches made for the Chinese market, circa 1840. Bridge movements, brass balances. White enamel dials with Roman hours, outer minute divisions and Arabic quarter-hour numerals. Plain cases, glazed movements. Both cases are numbered. Comes with the original leather presentation box, keys, spare glass and spring.
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Diameter: 40 mm
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Weight: 40 g
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Signed: Bovet à Fleurier
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Even though these pieces have not been decorated with one of the fine enamel paintings that are so often seen on Bovet’s watches, the two timepieces still boast extremely lavishly ornamented movements that were created especially to please the Chinese taste.
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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 Chaux-de-Fonds bought the Bovet brand from the 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.