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Lot Essay
The present watch is an exceptional timepiece made for the Chinese market, combining the excellent workmanship of two of the most celebrated watchmakers and artists of their time: Bovet's high quality Chinese caliber movement and a lavishly decorated gold case enriched by a finely painted enamel miniature attributed to the celebrated Geneva enamellist Jean-François-Victor Dupont.
The history of the celebrated Chinese market watches signed Bovet Fleurier began with the Swiss master watchmaker Edouard Bovet (1797-1849). Born in Fleurier, the 21 year old Edouard arrived in Canton in 1818 and almost immediately sold four watches for 10,000 francs, over one million US dollars today.
He consequently decided to stay in Canton where he established in 1822 a trading company in partnership with his brothers, the firm founded by charter in London the same year.
Very soon, the name "Bo Wei" or "Bo-vay" became synonymous for "watch" and in the turmoil of late Manchu China, Bovet watches spread throughout the country as a medium of exchange. In the meantime, their hometown Fleurier in the Val-de-Travers had become the European centre for the manufacture of Chinese watches, with several brands dedicated only to that flourishing market.
Bovet's production of high quality watches made in Switzerland for the Imperial Chinese market was a resounding success. "Chinese watches" as they were soon called were elaborately decorated pocket watches, their gold cases often featured enamel miniatures painted by the most celebrated artists of the time, cloisonné, champlevé enamel and pearl-set borders. Bovet further specialized in the art of engraving and skeletonizing movements, hence enhancing the appeal of his high-end Chinese watches with its Mandarin customers.
The superb quality of the enamel scene of the present watch illustrates the celebrated art of enamel miniatures originating from Geneva in the early 19th century. It was not unusual during that period that an artist would sign his work. The enamel on the present watch however can be attributed to
Jean-François-Victor Dupont (1785-1863), a celebrated enamel painter working in Geneva. Dupont was famous for his portraits of eminent personalities (King George IV, Henry VI among others), as well as decoration of watches and boxes for the Chinese market. He worked frequently with Bovet, Ilbery, Piguet & Meylan, Rochat Frères and others. Examples of his work can be found in the world's most renowned museums, notably Geneva's Patek Philippe Museum.
Since their first appearance nearly 200 years ago, these sumptuous "Chinese" watches have not lost their fascination and are today more than ever highly appreciated collector's watches.
The history of the celebrated Chinese market watches signed Bovet Fleurier began with the Swiss master watchmaker Edouard Bovet (1797-1849). Born in Fleurier, the 21 year old Edouard arrived in Canton in 1818 and almost immediately sold four watches for 10,000 francs, over one million US dollars today.
He consequently decided to stay in Canton where he established in 1822 a trading company in partnership with his brothers, the firm founded by charter in London the same year.
Very soon, the name "Bo Wei" or "Bo-vay" became synonymous for "watch" and in the turmoil of late Manchu China, Bovet watches spread throughout the country as a medium of exchange. In the meantime, their hometown Fleurier in the Val-de-Travers had become the European centre for the manufacture of Chinese watches, with several brands dedicated only to that flourishing market.
Bovet's production of high quality watches made in Switzerland for the Imperial Chinese market was a resounding success. "Chinese watches" as they were soon called were elaborately decorated pocket watches, their gold cases often featured enamel miniatures painted by the most celebrated artists of the time, cloisonné, champlevé enamel and pearl-set borders. Bovet further specialized in the art of engraving and skeletonizing movements, hence enhancing the appeal of his high-end Chinese watches with its Mandarin customers.
The superb quality of the enamel scene of the present watch illustrates the celebrated art of enamel miniatures originating from Geneva in the early 19th century. It was not unusual during that period that an artist would sign his work. The enamel on the present watch however can be attributed to
Jean-François-Victor Dupont (1785-1863), a celebrated enamel painter working in Geneva. Dupont was famous for his portraits of eminent personalities (King George IV, Henry VI among others), as well as decoration of watches and boxes for the Chinese market. He worked frequently with Bovet, Ilbery, Piguet & Meylan, Rochat Frères and others. Examples of his work can be found in the world's most renowned museums, notably Geneva's Patek Philippe Museum.
Since their first appearance nearly 200 years ago, these sumptuous "Chinese" watches have not lost their fascination and are today more than ever highly appreciated collector's watches.