An 1860 watch for the Celestials
Monday, May 19th 2025
by Bovet-Fleurier.
A ca. 1860 pocket watch for the Chinese market.
Gilt metal case, white enamel dial showing hours in Roman numerals and minutes with batons, blue steel hands. The case and bezel are adorned with a row of half-pearls on the front and back of the watch. The reverse features a painted enamel decor featuring peonies, tulips and daisies. The case back protecting the polished steel movement is signed “Bovet-Fleurier”. Numbered “1891”.Comes with a square key monogrammed “W.M”.
Diameter: 64 mm
(chipped enamel)
The Bovet Fleurier company was founded in London in 1822 by Edouard Bovet with the express intent of manufacturing and exporting pocket-watches to China. Bovet had discovered Canton in 1818 on a trip to the Land of the Dragon he had made on behalf of Ilbery & Magniac. Upon arriving there, he sold four watches at very high prices due to the quality of the movements and enamels on these watches being far superior to that of Asian-made timepieces. This opened up his eyes – and a new market for him and a number of his competitors, including the Vacheron Constantin watchmaker.
