Swiss watch with center seconds and glazed movement Circa 1870

Silver pocket watch with a rare design
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A rare with center seconds pocket watch with a Zodiak dial, made for the Chinese market by Léo Juvet in Fleurier, Switzerland, circa 1870. The plain  numbered open faced case of this watch was crafted from silver, has a rare design and key – and crown winding. The white enamel dial has Chinese Zodiak signs, center seconds and black metal hands. The glazed movement with a spring lid of fantastic quality has a lever escapement with a mock pendulem. Dial, case and movement are signed in Chinese characters.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Weight: 113 g
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Signed: Juvet Fleurier (in Chinese characters)                
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Léo Juvet
Léo Juvet was a Swiss watch manufacturer and retailer, born on June 1, 1848 in Fleurier. He was the son of Edouard Juvet and Zélie Roulet and the brother of Ami-Louis Juvet, who likely died at a young age. After his brother’s death, Léo went to China to take his place there. In Shanghai, only the Bovets could compete with the Juvets; however, the two families maintained friendly relations with each other. The Juvet company flourished, and branches were opened in Tien-Tsin and Saigon. In fact, 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 1875, Edouard gave his son Léo the power of attorney. After Edouard’s death in February 1883, Léo succeeded him as the head of the company. On December 14, 1877, Léo married Sophie-Rosine Zurn in Fleurier. Sophie-Rosine was the daughter of the watchmaker Charles François Zurn and Pauline Piaget, who came from the Piaget watchmaking family. However, no children were listed from Léo’s marriage to Sophie-Rosine.
Sadly, Léo Juvet died on January 11, 1891 at the young age of 42.