Swiss centre seconds watch for the Chinese market Circa 1860

Gold, enamel and pearl set cylinder watch by Vaucher
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A very fine Swiss 18 carat gold, enamel and pearl set open faced centre seconds cylinder pocket watch made for the Chinese market, circa 1860. Gilt movement, Chinese calibre, fully engraved, standing barrel, jewelled cylinder escapement, plain three-armed steel balance with flat rim, blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator. Gilt cuvette hinged to the movement ring. White enamel dial with narrow Roman numerals, outer minute/seconds divisions with fifteen-minute/seconds Arabic numerals and original gold poire hands. The case back is finely painted on enamel with a bouquet of summer flowers against a translucent red guilloché enamel ground, bezels, pendant and bow set with split pearls, band and pendant decorated with green champlevé enamel and white enamel dots and gold leaves. Dial and movement signed.
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Diameter: 52.5 mm
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Signed: Vaucher Fleurier
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Charles-Henri Vaucher, Fleurier. Not to be confused with Vaucher frères. The firm was established by Charles-Henri Vaucher in Fleurier, in what later became the ‘Hotel de Ville’. In 1838 Vaucher sent several watches, some enamelled, to Canton, attracting the attention of Louis Bovet, who mentioned them to his uncle Edouard. The company had a branch in London but later moved to Trévise.
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Flowers have great symbolic importance for the Chinese. By their form, aspect and fragrance, they are considered highly spiritual, reflecting the profound nature of the Chinese people. Poems and sayings show the cultural importance of flowers: “There is no flower without beauty in the world”, and “A flower gives us a glimpse of paradise”. Certain flowers have a particular significance. The lotus symbolizes purity, the chrysanthemum perseverance, the plum blossom integrity, etc. With its generous forms, brilliant colours, and heady fragrance, the peony became the most important flower for the Chinese. It is considered to symbolize wealth, nobility, power, and happiness. Known as the ‘queen of flowers, the peony symbolizes wealth and distinction. Paintings of flowers are often hung in Chinese homes for good luck and in offices to bring business success. Since red is regarded as a life-giving colour, red flowers are admired and valued. The deep and rich symbolism the Chinese attached to flowers made them an ideal subject for expensive watches and those destined for exalted patrons, even for the Emperor himself. The flower’s symbolism would have been immediately recognized and appreciated by China’s elite, who would have seen in them a flattering reference to their wealth and power.