Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Hotel Noga Hilton, Oct 16, 2005

LOT 57

Léo Juvet, Shanghai, No. 224875 & No. 224876. Made for the Chinese market, circa 1875. Very fine, pair of silver pocket watches with center seconds, and original morocco fitted case, keys and spare crystals.

CHF 7,000 - 9,000

EUR 4,500 - 6,000 / USD 5,700 - 7,300

Sold: CHF 16,675

C. Two-body, ?Consular?, polished, spring-loaded and glazed cuvette. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer Chinese numerals and minute track. Blued steel 'ovoid' hands. M. 47 mm (21??), gilded and entirely foliate engraved, ?Chinese? calibre, 16 jewels, free-standing barrel, counterpoised lateral lever escapement, bimetallic compensation balance, white metal flat balance spring, index regulator. Dials, cases and movements signed Juvet in Chinese characters. Diam. 55 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

The present watch features double indications: outermost, the twelve traditional Chinese hours; innermost, the 24-hour Roman indication. In such watches, the movement is designed to ensure that the hour hand makes two revolutions per day. Although most of the watches and snuffboxes destined for the Chinese market were made in pairs, the majority of them were separated. It is rare to find a pair still together. Juvet One of the important Swiss horological families working for the Chinese market. Edouard Juvet (1820-1883) first established his workshop in Buttes in 1842, but in 1844 moved to Fleurier. He began making "Chinese" watches in 1856. Edouard?s sons Ami-Louis and Léo travelled to China to work in the family firm. When Ami-Louis died there, Léo (1848-1891) took his place. In Shanghai, the Juvets were rivaled only by the Bovets, yet the two families maintained friendly relations. The Maison Juvet prospered, opening branches in Tien-Tsin and Saigon, to the extent that in 1872 Léo wrote : "Our watches sell like salt". In 1873, Edouard Juvet registered a trademark in Chinese characters which was used on the company?s products. He granted his son Léo power of attorney in November 1875, and after his death in February 1883, Léo succeeded him at the head of the firm. Literature: ?La montre chinoise?, Alfred Chapuis.