Live Auction 1391Important Watches, including A Gentleman's Pursuit for Excellence, Part I
Bovet, Fleurier. An exceptionally fine, rare and important silver gilt, enamel and pearl-set identical numbered, mirror-image pair of openface centre seconds lever watches, made for the Chinese market
Lot 42

Bovet, Fleurier. An exceptionally fine, rare and important silver gilt, enamel and pearl-set identical numbered, mirror-image pair of openface centre seconds lever watches, made for the Chinese market

SIGNED BOVET, FLEURIER, NO. 714 & 714., CIRCA 1850

Closed12 November 2012

Price Realised

CHF 105,000

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Bovet, Fleurier. An exceptionally fine, rare and important silver gilt, enamel and pearl-set identical numbered, mirror-image pair of openface centre seconds lever watches, made for the Chinese market
Signed Bovet, Fleurier, No. 714 & 714., circa 1850
Finely engraved floral and scroll decorated gilt-finished jewelled keywound lever movements, bimetallic compensation balances, hinged glazed display cuvettes, white enamel dials, Roman numerals, blued steel spade hands, centre seconds, large circular cases, ribbed bands, pearl-set bezels, rims, pendants and bows, backs decorated with finely painted, mirror-image polychrome enamel bouquet of flowers on light green background, both cases signed with Bovet's Chinese signature and numbered 114 and 114., dials signed Bovet, Fleurier, movements signed Bovet, Fleurier and with Bovet's Chinese signature, numbered 714 and 714.
55 mm. diams. (2)

Specialist note

With red fitted presentation box, the cover stamped with Juvet's Chinese signature, and two gilt keys decorated with polychome enamel flowers on blue enamel background.

The present Chinese market watches are one of the exceedingly rare mirror-imaged pairs featuring identical numbers, 714 and 714., on the cases and on the movements to appear in public. Furthermore distinguished by the highly attractive enamel miniatures and the presence of the original box, this pair must be considered a highlight for the connoisseur of exceptional watches.

For a note on mirror-imaged and identically numbered watches see lot 195 in this auction.