English pair of “Mirror-Image” enamel watches Circa 1844

Pair of enamel watches with magnifying glass painting
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A museum pair of ” Mirror-Image ” enamel pocket watches with magnifying glass painting in the original box, made for the Chinese market in England and Fleurier in Switzerland, circa 1844. Both watches have an open faced silver case, with pearl edges on both sides, each back with a portrait of a lady in magnifying glass painting and a background of dark blue guilloché enamel. The cases are gold plated on the inside, are engraved with English Hallmarks 1844 and their glazed dust covers have a spring lid function. The white enamel dials have an outer ring with Arabic numerals for the minutes and the centre seconds, Roman numerals for the hours and blued steel hands. The movements are fire gold plated, have a Fleurier calibre, a mock pendulum and an anchor escapement.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Weight: 118 g
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Signed: No name
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One prominent watchmaker catering to the Chinese market was William Ilbery, who operated from London and had established connections with Fleurier, Switzerland. Around 1844, he manufactured watches specifically for the Chinese market. Bovet, a renowned Swiss brand recognized for its use of enamel and intricate movements, also focused on serving the needs of the Chinese market. While specific details about watches produced in England and Fleurier for the Chinese market during this period are scarce, it is conceivable that watchmakers of that era collaborated or drew inspiration from each other’s work.