Swiss pair of lever watches for the Chinese market Circa 1835

Gilt metal, enamel and pearl set mirror image pair of watches by Bovet
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A very fine and rare Swiss mirror image pair of gilt metal, enamel and pearl set centre seconds pocket watches made for the Chinese market, circa 1835. Identical gilt movements, Chinese calibre with fully foliate engraved plate and bridges, standing barrel, jewelled to the centre, lateral lever escapement, three armed monometallic balance with peripheral weights and screws, flat balance spring and an index regulator. Hinged and sprung engraved cuvette hinged to the movement ring. White enamel dial, convex with narrow Roman numerals, outer minutes/seconds divisions, Arabic quarter hour numerals, and original gold ovoid hands. The bezels, pendant, and bow are decorated with split pearls, and the back panels are painted with opposing scenes of a lady and child gathering flowers in a woodland glade, translucent royal blue guilloché ground. Movements signed. Comes with two keys and a fitted tortoiseshell veneered box.
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Diameter: 58 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 partnered 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 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.