Fine English 18 carat gold open faced duplex watch Circa 1828

Gold open faced pocket watch by Alphonse Bovet
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A fine English 18 carat gold open faced gentleman’s pocket watch, circa 1828. The engine turned case with maker’s punch mark LC for Louis Comtesse, Soho, London. An off-white enamel dial with radial Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track, a subsidiary dial for the seconds at 6 o’clock and gold serpentine hands. The signed full plate movement with a duplex escapement, chain and fusee, and a three arm steel balance.
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Diameter: 51 mm
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Weight: 130 g
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Signed: Alphonse Bovet London
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Alphonse Bovet, Swiss watchmaker
Charles Alphonse Bovet was born on June 2, 1788, in Fleurier, Switzerland and baptized on July 5. He was the son of watchmakers Jean Frédéric Bovet and Julie Yersin (1763-1837), and the brother of Edouard, Charles Frédéric, Charles Henri and Gustave Bovet.

Charles Alphonse worked in London as a watchmaker and watch dealer from around 1815 to 1845, which at that time was not only a stronghold of watch production but also the center of the European watch trade.

Around 1820, he married Elisabeth Soper in London. From this marriage, four sons and two daughters were born. Caroline (1820-1870), Julie (?), Frédéric dit Fritz (1826-1915), Alphonse (1828-1918), Gustave (1835-1906) and Charles (1838-1929?).  Frédéric dit Fritz became a violinist and musician. Alphonse died during World War I on July 5, 1918 as an officer (Lt Col) of the 12th Division Royal Engineers and was buried in Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, France. Little is known of Gustave, he died in Shanghai and Charles Bovet. Daughter Caroline married Robert Gillmann in Islington, London in 1842.

In 1843, Charles Alphonse returned to Fleurier where he supported his brother Charles Frédéric and sister Julie Caroline. He died on June 20, 1850 at the age of 62.