Swiss watch with centre seconds for the Chinese Market Circa 1875

Silver enamel pocket watch probably made by Léo Juvet
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An exquisite Swiss silver enamel pocket watch studded with half-pearls, circa 1875. Made for the Chinese market. This watch has a silver case with the number 2477. Both sides of the case are set with half pearls, and the back has a portrait of a lady painted in enamel against a dark blue engine-turned enamel background. The movement is magnificent, with a Fleurier movement, mock pendulum, and lever escapement. The enamel dial has Roman radial hours, an outer minute/seconds track with Arabic numerals for fifteen minutes/seconds, a centre-second hand, and blued steel spade hands. It is in very beautiful condition and comes with its original box. It was formerly known as a mirror pair.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Weight: 118 g
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Signed: No name
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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.