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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Duplex pocket watch

Bovet Fleurier Chinese Market Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This early 19th-century Swiss pocket watch was manufactured specifically for the Chinese market. It features a gold, open-face case decorated with polychrome enamel and split pearls. The case back displays a miniature painting of two white doves amidst flowers on a light blue ground, while the sides are adorned with champlevé enamel in red, white, green, and blue. The watch movement is of the bar type, constructed with polished steel components including the main plate, bridges, going barrel, and screws. It utilizes a duplex escapement with a steel escape wheel and jeweled locking roller, paired with a non-compensated three-arm balance and blued steel hairspring. The Bovet Fleurier signature appears on the train bridge in light blue enamel. Key-wound via a hinged internal cuvette, the watch is designed with a center seconds function and blued steel hands over a white enamel dial with Roman numerals.

Detailed view of the case back featuring an enamel painting of white doves and floral motifs surrounded by split pearls.
Detailed view of the case back featuring an enamel painting of white doves and floral motifs surrounded by split pearls. — Zamanito / Pieces of Time. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Duplex pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Bovet Fleurier
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
early 19th century
Source-reported place
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and External Decoration

The watch is housed in an open-face gold case designed for the Chinese market. The exterior is highly decorated with a combination of champlevé enamel and polychrome miniature painting. The sides of the case feature a vibrant champlevé design incorporating red, white, green, and various shades of blue.

The back of the watch is finished with a detailed enamel depiction of two white doves surrounded by floral elements, set against a light blue backdrop. The overall aesthetic is further enriched by the application of split pearls, which adorn the bezel, the oval-shaped pendant, and the bow.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب ساعت از طلای مرغوب و با طراحی روباز (Open Face) ساخته شده است.”
  • “طوقه کناری قاب با نقوش میناکاری شامپلوه به رنگ‌های قرمز، سفید، سبز و طیف‌های روشن و تیره آبی آراسته است.”
  • “در پشت قاب، تصویر میناکاری چندرنگ و ظریفی از دو کبوتر سفید در میان دسته‌ای از گل‌ها و شاخ‌وبرگ‌ها بر روی زمینه‌ای به رنگ آبی روشن اجرا شده است.”

Movement and Escapement

The watch is powered by a large bar-type movement designed for center seconds. The movement construction is noted for its extensive use of polished steel, which is visible on the main plate, bridges, going barrel, and individual screws.

The escapement is a duplex type featuring a steel escape wheel and a jeweled locking roller. The regulation system includes a non-compensated, three-arm balance with three blued steel weights and a blued steel hairspring. The endstone for the balance pivot is a garnet, secured within a polished steel setting.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت از نوع میله‌ای (Bar Movement) بزرگ، مجهز به ثانیه‌شمار مرکزی و کوک با کلید است.”
  • “تمام بخش‌های صفحه زیرین، پل‌ها، چرخ‌ها، جعبه فنر شناور (Going Barrel) و پیچ‌ها از فولاد پولیش‌شده ساخته شده‌اند.”
  • “سازوکار نوسان شامل رقاصک دوفلزی برش‌نخورده سه‌بازو با سه قطعه فولادی آبی‌کاری‌شده، فنر مویین حلزونی آبی و چرخ دندانه‌تک مهار دوپلکس فولادی همراه با غلتک قفل‌کننده جواهردار است.”

Signatures and Mechanical Features

The watch bears the signature of Bovet Fleurier, which is applied in light blue enamel directly onto the steel train bridge. This signature style is echoed in the regulation markers found on the steel dovetailed tabs.

The watch is wound and set using a key through a hinged glass cuvette that protects the movement and dial side. The dial is executed in white enamel, featuring Roman numerals and blued steel hands, with the movement supporting a center seconds hand complication.

Evidence for this section
  • “امضای سازنده با عنوان Bovet Fleurier بر روی پل قطار چرخ‌دنده در موتور ساعت با مینای آبی روشن دیده می‌شود.”
  • “امضای Bovet Fleurier و نشانگرهای بخش رگولاتور بر روی زبانه‌های فولادی دم‌چلچله‌ای با مینای آبی روشن کار شده‌اند.”
  • “صفحه ساعت از مینای سفید با ارقام کشیده رومی، عقربه ثانیه‌شمار مرکزی و عقربه‌های فولادی آبی‌کاری‌شده تشکیل شده است”

Open research questions

  • Is there a case or movement serial number present on the interior surfaces not visible in the provided photos?
  • What is the precise case diameter, given its likely historical destination for the Chinese market?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Bovet Fleurier Chinese Market Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerBovet Fleurier“Bovet Fleurier”
OriginSwitzerland“ساخت سوئیس”
PeriodEarly 19th century“اوایل قرن نوزدهم میلادی”
EscapementDuplex“مهار دوپلکس (Duplex escapement)”
Movement TypeBar movement with polished steel components“موتور ساعت از نوع میله‌ای (Bar Movement) بزرگ”
Winding mechanismKey-wound via glass and engraved cuvette“عملیات کوک و تنظیم ساعت از طریق درپوش داخلی فنری شیشه‌ای و حکاکی‌شده (Cuvette) صورت می‌پذیرد.”

Visible details

  • Case back features a polychrome enamel painting of two white doves and floral motifs
  • Case bezel, pendant, and bow are decorated with split pearls
  • Movement bridges and plate are constructed from polished steel
  • Bovet Fleurier signature is rendered in light blue enamel on the train bridge

Research qualifications

  • Operational status of the movement is not reported by the source
  • Exact dimensions of the case diameter and thickness are not provided

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Chinese Market Gold and Enamel Duplex

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 79cb6c8e41

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other duplex pocket watch records