Magnificent Swiss gold duplex for the Chinese market Circa 1835

Gold duplex with centre seconds
–
Magnificent and important Swiss 18K gold and painted-on enamel pocket watch, circa 1835. A centre-second watch with duplex escapement, made for the Chinese market.
In a Chinese-type case, the back enamel panel finely painted Enamel scene depicting two colourful wild birds one on the ground. The other resting on foliage with a cloudy sky in the background. Manner of Dufaux, the bezels decorated with light blue and red flower enamel, the pendant and bow decorated with black enamel decoration, a hinged gold-rimmed glazed cuvette. White enamel dial with radial Roman numerals and outer minute and seconds ring, outer Arabic quarter hour numerals and blued steel spade hands. Gilt brass movement, Chinese calibre with a free-standing barrel, duplex escapement, bimetallic compensation three-arm balance with blued steel weights, blued steel flat balance spring, and index regulator. Movement signed, case numbered.
–
Diameter: 55 mm
–
Signed: Bovet  Fleurier
–
Bovet was 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.