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拍品專文
Accompanied by a gilt metal key signed Nee Long & Co. Shanghai and H.W. & Co.
Charles-Henri Vaucher (born c. 1793 Couvet, Neuchâtel , d. ?), played an significant role in the establishment of Chinese market watches made in Fleurier. Around 1820 he moved to London to open a branch which also supplied watches to the celebrated William Ilbery whose son or nephew did a watchmaker apprenticeship in Fleurier. William Ilbery was the fiancée of Vaucher's daughter Anna-Suzanne who tragically passed away in 1845. An avid businessman, Vaucher lived half the year in London and took care of a number of other commerce such as tools, iron and importation of textile. In 1834 he wrote as justification for a delay in the delivery of 18 pairs of watches ordered by Ilbery "From time immemorial we cannot remember having experienced business doing so well".
In 1838 Vaucher sent a number of watches, some enamelled, to Canton. This attracted the attention of Louis Bovet who mentioned them in a letter to his uncle Edouard (see La Montre Chinoise by Alfred Chapuis, p. 140).
The Vaucher watchmakers of Fleurier
The Vaucher families were decisive in the introduction and development of Fleurier's watch industry, specializing in the manufacture of pocketwatches. In 1750, 28 different Vaucher families were living in Fleurier and although sharing a common ancestor, the members did not consider themselves as closely related. The difference between the families was marked by adding a wedding name or location such as "Vaucher sur-les-Moulins", "Vaucher du Guilleri", "Vaucher-de-la-Croix" or "Vaucher-Ferrier".
Watches with lavishly decorated cases especially made for aristocratic customers and engraved with Vaucher signature are important witnesses for the work of these gifted watchmakers and highlights in museums, private collections and at public auctions.
Charles-Henri Vaucher (born c. 1793 Couvet, Neuchâtel , d. ?), played an significant role in the establishment of Chinese market watches made in Fleurier. Around 1820 he moved to London to open a branch which also supplied watches to the celebrated William Ilbery whose son or nephew did a watchmaker apprenticeship in Fleurier. William Ilbery was the fiancée of Vaucher's daughter Anna-Suzanne who tragically passed away in 1845. An avid businessman, Vaucher lived half the year in London and took care of a number of other commerce such as tools, iron and importation of textile. In 1834 he wrote as justification for a delay in the delivery of 18 pairs of watches ordered by Ilbery "From time immemorial we cannot remember having experienced business doing so well".
In 1838 Vaucher sent a number of watches, some enamelled, to Canton. This attracted the attention of Louis Bovet who mentioned them in a letter to his uncle Edouard (see La Montre Chinoise by Alfred Chapuis, p. 140).
The Vaucher watchmakers of Fleurier
The Vaucher families were decisive in the introduction and development of Fleurier's watch industry, specializing in the manufacture of pocketwatches. In 1750, 28 different Vaucher families were living in Fleurier and although sharing a common ancestor, the members did not consider themselves as closely related. The difference between the families was marked by adding a wedding name or location such as "Vaucher sur-les-Moulins", "Vaucher du Guilleri", "Vaucher-de-la-Croix" or "Vaucher-Ferrier".
Watches with lavishly decorated cases especially made for aristocratic customers and engraved with Vaucher signature are important witnesses for the work of these gifted watchmakers and highlights in museums, private collections and at public auctions.