Swiss pocket watch with pearls and centre seconds Circa 1860

Rare pocket watch for the Chinese market
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A rare enamel pocket watch with pearls and centre seconds for the Chinese market, attributed to Bovet in Fleurier, Switzerland, circa 1860. The full hunter case of this pocket watch is made of silver, is set with pearls on both sides and has an enamel magnifier painting on the back. The original enamel dial has blued steel hands and centre seconds and the Fleurier movement is glazed and fire gilt, has a mock pendulum and an anchor escapement.
The watch comes with a Chinese signed winding key and a high quality leather box and the movement is also signed in Chinese.
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Diameter: 33.5 mm
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Weight: 33.5 g
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Signed: attributed to Bovet
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Bovet
A watchmaking dynasty founded by Edouard, Frédéric, Alphonse, Gustave, Charles-Henri and Caroline Bovet of Fleurier. In 1822, a Bovet partnership was founded for the Chinese watch trade in Canton. In 1840, Bovet Frères et Cie was established in Fleurier. In 1864, the Bovet watch production was sold to Bovet’s manufacturing inspectors in Fleurier, Jules Jéquier and Ernest Bobillier, soon joined by Ami Leuba. In 1888, Bovet Frères was founded under the direction of Alexis Landry, who served his apprenticeship in Fritz Bovet’s workshop in Fleurier, producing ebauches for Chinese watches and silver cases. Alexis Landry formed a partnership with Albert and Jean Bovet, specializing in complicated watches and chronographs. In 1901, the Bovet trademark was acquired by César and Charles Leuba, sons of Ami Leuba. In 1918, Jacques Ullmann & Co of La Chaux-de-Fonds bought the Bovet brand from the Leuba Brothers and in 1948, Favre-Leuba took over the company and acquired the first production plant. In 1966 Favre-Leuba sold the Fleurier plant and in 1989 Parmigiani acquired the Bovet name. A limited company registered as Bovet Fleurier S.A. was formed in 1990, using the Bovet trademark. In 1994, Roger Guye and a partner bought Bovet Fleurier S.A. and opened a branch in Geneva. Pascal Raffy became the majority shareholder and President in 2001.