Swiss centre seconds watch for the Chinese market Circa 1840

Gold-plated enamel and pearl set watch by Dimier & Cie.
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A Swiss enamel pocket watch adorned with half pearls and featuring a centre second hand, made in Geneva for the Chinese market, circa 1840. This decorative watch has a gilt polychrome enamel case adorned with half pearls and factory glazing. It features an enamel dial with radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, a centre seconds hand, and blued steel hands. The watch movement has a steel bridge with scattered flower decorations, a key winder, a flying barrel, a side lever escapement, and a three-arm steel balance set with rubies.
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The enamel medallion on the back is finely painted with a high-quality filigree floral composition of roses, tulips, violets, and other spring flowers on a soft pink background. The bezels on both sides, as well as the pendant and temples, are set with half pearls.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Weight: 117 g
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Signed: Dimier & Cie. Genève
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Dimier & Cie. was established in Geneva during the first quarter of the 19th century by Jean Antoine Dimier (1795–1863). By 1835, the company was located at 27 Rue Croix d’Or. Dimier specialises in producing miniature pocket watches made of gold or gilt brass and adorned with floral enamel and pearls. These watches were mainly exported to China, where they were considered a rarity since the Chinese market generally preferred larger-sized watches. The founder’s sons, Charles-Louis (1822–1896) and Auguste-Antoine (1824–1891) trained in watchmaking at the College of Geneva and La Chaux-de-Fonds. In 1846, they relocated to Fleurier, where Auguste worked as a watchmaker and Charles as a sales director. In 1847, Charles moved to Canton (now Guangzhou in southern China) and established Dimier & Cie. However, due to the war in China, the business was halted in 1860, and Charles returned to Switzerland. In 1862, the Dimier brothers moved the business from Fleurier to Geneva.