English gilded duplex watch for the Chinese market Circa 1870

Gilt, enamel and pearl-set centre seconds duplex watch by Léo Juvet
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A very fine, rare and large Swiss silver-gilt, enamel and pearl-set open faced centre seconds duplex pocket watch made for the Chinese market, circa 1870-1880.
The case back with a painted on enamel Indian hunting scene attributable to Pierre-Amédée Champod showing a snake attacking a Hindu gentleman and a lady high upon an elephant, both bezels, pendant and bow set with pearls. White enamel dial with radial Roman hours, outer minutes and seconds track with Arabic fifteen-minute numerals, centre seconds hand, spade hands. Gilded brass Chinese style movement, going barrel, duplex escapement, blued steel wings balance, key-winding.
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Diameter: 57 mm
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Signed: Léo Juvet Shangai
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This watch is an excellent example illustrating the popularity of Indian scenes in China, where the elephant symbolises wisdom and moral and spiritual strength.
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Léo Juvet-Bourgeois, Swiss watch manufacturer and retailer. Léo Juvet was a son of Edouard Juvet and Zélie Roulet and was born on June 1, 1848, in Fleurier. He was the brother of Ami-Louis Juvet, who probably died quite young. After Ami-Loui’s death, Léo travelled to China to take his place there. In Shanghai, only the Bovets could compete with the Juvets, however, the two families maintained friendly relations. The House of Juvet prospered and opened branches in Tien-Tsin and Saigon, so much so that Léo remarked in 1872: “our watches sell like salt”. In 1873, Edouard Juvet registered a trademark in Chinese characters for the company’s products. In November of 1875, he delegated power of attorney to his son Léo. After Edouard’s death in February 1883, Léo succeeded him as head of the company. He married Sophie-Rosine Zurn on December 14, 1877, in Fleurier. Sophie-Rosine was the daughter of watchmaker Charles François Zurn and Pauline Piaget. Pauline Piaget came from the Piaget family of watchmakers. No children were listed from this marriage of Léo to Sophie-Rosine. Léo Juvet died on January 11, 1891, at only 42 years old.
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Pierre-Amédée Champod, 1834-1913. Along with John Graff, Amédée Champod was one of the most celebrated enamel painters of the second part of the 19th century and early 20th century, specializing in hunting scenes. In his autobiography, which has been preserved by his descendants, he writes that he wanted to be a painter of large-format scenes, but that economic realities led him to paint on enamel. He studied with Huguenin, Sauerländer and Charles Glardon, who had the strongest impact on his future style. Champod dropped out of school at eleven and, at sixteen he began working. At the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1900, Champod received a silver medal. His technique was outstanding, and the sense of dynamics in his compositions was unrivalled.