Swiss centre seconds duplex for the Chinese market Circa 1850

Silver open faced duplex with centre seconds by Bovet 
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An extremely rare and large Swiss silver open faced duplex pocket watch made for the Chinese market, circa 1850.
Glazed movement, enamelled Tixier bridge movement by Pelaz, duplex escapement, large flying barrel. White enamel dial with Roman hours and outer minute divisions, Arabic 15, 30, 45 and 60, centre seconds, blued steel hands. Plain case by Bovet. Case numbered and with Chinese signature.
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Diameter: 62 mm
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Weight: 127 g
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Signed: Bovet Fleurier
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Jean Tixier, Fleurier developed special movement designs for the Chinese market around 1850 and gained a remarkable reputation within a short time. His movements were used for the large and expensive duplex watches of various manufacturers. The highlight was the enamelled versions after the Geneva watchmaker Pelaz came up with the idea of enamelling movement bridges in colour in 1858. The present watch is one of these timepieces. Today only a few of these watches are known, some in plain gold and silver cases, others in magnificent enamel cases.