Swiss gold and enamel centre seconds dupex watch Circa 1840

Gold enamelled centre seconds watch by Bovet
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A large Swiss 18K yellow gold and enamel pocket watch with centre seconds and special calibre made for the Chinese market, circa 1840.
Round-shaped case, a polychrome enamel painting on the back, probably by a Geneva workshop, showing a tracery of multi-coloured summer flowers and leaves on a translucent royal blue enamel ground. White enamel dial with radial Roman hours, outer minutes/seconds track with Arabic fifteen minutes/seconds numerals, centre seconds and spade hands. Signed gilded brass movement, engraved Chinese-style, key wind, polished steel bridges, going barrel, duplex escapement, compensated balance with blued steel wings balance, and blued steel flat hairspring.
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Diameter: 58 mm
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Signed: Bovet Fleurier
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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, and 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 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.