Swiss watch with centre seconds for Chinese Market Circa 1880

Silver open faced pocket watch by Léo Juvet
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A rare, Swiss silver enamel pocket watch studded with half-pearls, circa 1880, made for the Chinese market. The silver and gilded-silver case shows on the back a portrait of a young Western woman in the bust, looking to the left against translucent cobalt blue enamelled ground and with the bezels set with half pearls. It’s extremely rare to find a watch typically made for the Chinese market with such a subject. Enamel dial with inlaid gold decor, Roman radial hours, outer minute/seconds track with Arabic fifteen minutes/seconds numerals, centre seconds hand, and blued spade hands. Key-winding gilded brass movement engraved Chinese-style, with going barrel and lateral lever escapement. Case signed (Chinese hallmark).
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Weight: 120 g
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Signed: Léo Juvet
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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.
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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.
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Sadly, Léo Juvet died on January 11, 1891, at the young age of 42.