Swiss pair of silver centre seconds lever pocket watches Circa 1875

Pair of silver watches with original box and keys by Juvet
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A very fine Swiss pair of silver open faced centre seconds lever pocket watches made for the Chinese market, circa 1875. Gilded and entirely foliate engraved movement, Ø 47 mm, Chinese calibre, 10 jewels, a free-standing barrel, counterpoised lateral lever escapement, monometallic balance, blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator. A spring-loaded and glazed cuvette. White enamel dials with narrow Roman hours, outer minute divisions with Arabic quarter-hour numerals and blued steel ovoid hands. Polished consular cases. Dials, cases and movements signed Juvet in Chinese characters, movements numbered. Comes with the original red morocco fitted box and two keys.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Signed: Léo Juvet Shanghai
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Although most of the watches and snuff boxes destined for the Chinese market were made in pairs, the majority of them were separated. Finding a pair still together and in such good condition is rare.
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Juvet is one of the important Swiss horological families working for the Chinese market. Edouard Juvet (1820-1883) established his workshop in Buttes in 1842 but moved to Fleurier in 1844. He began making Chinese watches in 1856. Edouard’s sons Ami-Louis and Léo travelled to China to work in the family firm. In Shanghai, the Juvets were rivalled only by the Bovets, yet the two families maintained friendly relations. The Maison Juvet prospered, opening branches in Tien-Tsin and Saigon. In 1873, Edouard Juvet registered a trademark in Chinese characters used on the company’s products.