Swiss centre seconds watches for the Chinese market Circa 1875

Silver pair of pocket watches by Bovet
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A fine Swiss silver pair of open faced centre seconds lever pocket watches made for the Chinese market, circa 1875. Gilded and entirely foliate engraved movements, ∅ 47 mm, Chinese calibre, 16 jewels, free-standing barrel, counterpoised lateral lever escapement, monometallic balance, blued steel self-compensating flat balance spring, index regulator. spring-loaded glazed cuvettes. White enamel dials with Roman hours, an outer minute/seconds track and Arabic 15-minute/second numerals, blued steel ovoid hands. Polished cases. Comes with the original morocco fitted presentation box embossed with Bovet’s second signature type. Numbered twice.
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Diameter: 54 mm
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Signed: Bovet Fleurier
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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.