Swiss rare pair of pocket watches for the Chinese market Circa 1880

Set of gilt open faced duplex watches by Leo Juvet
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An important and very rare Swiss silver gilt and enamel pair of identical numbered matching mirror image jumping centre seconds pocket watches, Flower Bouquets, of museum quality made for the Chinese market, circa 1880. Comes with the original velvet lined red Morocco presentation box.
The cases with a reeded band, half pearl studded bezels, pendants and bows, and glazed movements, and the backsides are decorated with finely painted mirror image opaque polychrome enamel medallions depicting a fine composition of summer flowers and leaves against a light blue ground. White enamel dials with radial Roman hours, outer minute track, Arabic fifteen minute numerals, jumping centre seconds and blued spade hands.
Frosted gilt key wind bridge movements, finely hand engraved, floral and scroll decorated, both watches with a lavishly engraved going barrel, a Chinese duplex escapement according to Edouard Jacot and a monometallic balance with blued steel weights.
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Diameter: 63 mm
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Weight: 150 and 151 g.
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Signed: Leo Juvet Fleurier
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Watches for the Chinese Market. Imperial China was at its height in the 18th century. Not only the wealthy imperial couple but prosperous merchants and civil servants too were affluent enough to afford high priced luxury goods. They often bought watches to extend their collections or pay tribute to the emperor by giving him valuable gifts. Europe recognised the burgeoning financial power in Chinese society and, in addition to exporting the high value Swiss timepieces, the companies began to open their branches in China. To ensure that contemporary tastes were met and the cultural demands of the time were satisfied, the preferences of the “new” clientele were carefully investigated. The Chinese penchant for symmetry and dual existence was taken into consideration. The presence of pairs in all aspects of life also symbolises cosmic wholeness. The Chinese ideals were implemented, and watches were produced in pairs, British makers arranged them symmetrically. The Swiss favoured an asymmetric order and marked both of the watches with the same number. Makers in Val-de-Travers marked the “twins” with an extra small sign. The lavishly decorated watch cases always stood out for their distinctive ornamentation. Shapes, colours and motifs were taken from nature and quality and design were second to none. Flower arrangements were immensely popular because they offered a myriad of shape and colour possibilities. They came with or without pigeons, on light or dark grounds that might be opaque or translucent – besides landscapes and traditional Chinese figures, flowers were the most popular motif.
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Edouard & Léo Juvet à Fleurier. The Juvet family was one of the important Swiss horological families which produced pieces for the Chinese market.
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Edouard Juvet (1820-1883) opened his workshop in Buttes in 1842 and moved to Fleurier in 1844. In 1856 Edouard started making watches for the Chinese market, both his sons Ami-Louis and Léo eventually went to China to work in the family firm there. After Ami-Louis had died there, Léo (1848-1891) travelled to China to take his place. Only the Bovets rivalled the Juvets in Shanghai – however, the two families always maintained friendly relations. The Juvets flourished with branches in Beijing and Tianjin, to the extent that in 1872 Léo wrote: “Our watches sell like salt”. Edouard Juvet registered a trademark in Chinese characters in 1873 to be used on the company’s products. In November 1875, he granted his son Léo power of attorney, after Edouard’s death in February 1883, Léo succeeded him as head of the firm. The pocket watches by Juvet, with their finely handcrafted and unique artistic style, were welcomed by the royal family members of the Qing Dynasty. Juvet has since become the emperor’s watch brand. Owning a Juvet pocket watch is a symbol of nobility.