Swiss silver enamel watch for the Chinese market Circa 1895

Hunting cased pocket watch by Georges Favre-Jacot & Co.
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A Swiss silver enamel hunting cased pocket watch for the Chinese market, circa 1895.
Silver case, engine-turned and translucent cobalt blue enamelled; the front cover with a portrait of a Chinese lady; the back lid with a centred polychrome enamelled cartouche depicting a lake scene with castle and a mountain in the background within a border of flowers. Signed enamel dial with radial Roman hours, auxiliary seconds and “Fleur de Lys” hands. 3/4 plate movement, keywind, frosted, gilt and signed, with 15 jewels, lever escapement and screw ring balance.
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Diameter: 44 mm
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Weight: 86 g
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Signed: Georges Favre-Jacot & Co., Le Locle / Zenith
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Georges Emile Favre-Bulle-Jacot was born on December 12, 1843 in Le Locle and baptized on January 27, 1844 . He was the son of Jules Louis Favre-Bulle and Albertine Matthey de l’Endroit. He was a grandchild of David Louis Favre-Bulle, the brother of Frédéric Louis Favre-Bulle and Ami Louis Favre-Bulle . He was the brother of Louis Arthur Favre-Bulle , sister Laure Emma Favre-Bulle also became a watchmaker.

Georges Emile Favre-Bulle-Jacot founded the ” Fabrique des Billodes ” in Le Locle in 1865 on a property called Billodes. He first made precision pocket watches that were signed with his name. The product range was expanded around 1900. There were board chronometers, table clocks, precision pendulum clocks and later marine chronometers made. From 1903, the Favre-Jacots company took part in the competitions of the Neuchâtel observatory regularly and very successfully with pocket watches and onboard chronometers part. When the company was converted into a stock corporation in 1911, the Zenith brand was created. In the same year, Favre-Jacot resigned and handed over management of the company to his nephew James Favre. The premises of the old factory have been replaced by a more modern building, but at the entrance to the building, a plaque commemorates Georges Favre-Jacot, who is buried there at his own request.

Georges Emile married the watchmaker Louise Philippine Jacot-Descombes on January 2, 1863, in Le Locle. From this marriage, five girls and one boy were born. Records in Le Pont-de-Martel mention only three children from the marriage, Berthe-Alice, Rose-Julia and Fernande-Amélie, perhaps two births are recorded in another place.

Georges Emile Favre- (Bulle) Jacot died on May 19, 1917 in Le Locle at the age of 73.