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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Centre second pocket watch

Bovet Fleurier Chinese Market Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This 18-karat gold and enamel pocket watch, numbered 699, was manufactured by Bovet, Fleurier for the Chinese market around 1840. The piece measures 57 mm in diameter. It features a three-body Empire-style case with a back enamel panel displaying doves and summer flowers on a pink ground. The band is decorated with champlevé enamel, and the bezels, pendant, and bow are set with split pearls. The dial is white enamel with Roman numerals and blued steel spade hands. Internally, the watch contains a polished steel Chinese-calibre movement with a free-standing barrel, a single-wheel duplex escapement with a polished steel escape wheel, and a three-arm balance featuring wedge-shaped, partially blued steel weights, plus a regulator and flat balance spring. The watch is signed on both the dial and the movement. It includes a hinged gold glazed cuvette and is reported to be in very good condition.

Rear view showing the enamel panel with doves and floral composition surrounded by split pearls.
Rear view showing the enamel panel with doves and floral composition surrounded by split pearls. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Centre second pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Bovet, Fleurier
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
171
Source-reported date
circa 1840
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
699

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 Enamel Decoration

The watch case is constructed in a three-body Empire design crafted from 18-karat gold. The band of the watch is decorated with champlevé enamel work. The bezels, pendant, and bow are set with split pearls, which surround the front and back of the timepiece.

The back of the case features an enamel panel painted with a composition of doves and summer flowers set against a pink ground. The internal construction includes a hinged gold glazed cuvette to protect the movement components.

Evidence for this section
  • “Three body, Empire, the band with champleve enamelled decoration, split-pearl set bezels, pendant and bow”
  • “the back enamel panel painted with a fine composition of doves and Summer flowers on a pink ground”
  • “Hinged gold glazed cuvette.”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is identified as a polished steel Chinese-calibre type. It incorporates a free-standing barrel and a single-wheel duplex escapement equipped with a polished steel escape wheel.

The balance assembly features three arms with wedge-shaped and partially blued steel weights. The regulator and flat balance spring provide the timing control for the mechanism. The movement is signed by Bovet.

Evidence for this section
  • “Polished steel, "Chinese" calibre with free standing barrel”
  • “single wheel duplex escapement with polished steel escape wheel and three-arm balance with wedge shaped and partly blued steel weights”
  • “flat balance spring and regulator”
  • “Signed on the movement and dial.”

Dial and Hands

The dial is made of white enamel and displays Roman numerals to indicate the hours. The time is displayed via blued steel hands in a spade configuration. The dial bears the signature of the maker.

The diameter of the watch measures 57 mm. The auction description reports that the object is in very good condition.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel with Roman numerals. Blued steel "spade" hands.”
  • “Signed on the movement and dial.”
  • “In very good condition. Diam. 57 mm.”

Open research questions

  • What specific trade routes or distribution networks were used to import this Bovet watch into the Chinese market in the 1840s?
  • Are there surviving records within the Bovet archives for movement number 699 regarding its original retail destination in China?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Bovet Fleurier Chinese Market Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerBovet, Fleurier (Val de Travers)“Bovet, Fleurier (Val de Travers), Swiss”
Serial Number699“No. 699”
Datecirca 1840“circa 1840”
Diameter57 mm“Diam. 57 mm”
Case Material18 ct. gold and enamel“18 ct. gold and enamel”
EscapementSingle wheel duplex“single wheel duplex escapement”
HandsBlued steel spade“Blued steel "spade" hands”
ConditionVery good“In very good condition.”

Visible details

  • The back case depicts two white doves among floral arrangements on a pink enamel background.
  • The watch includes a pendant and bow bordered with split pearls.
  • The movement utilizes a Chinese-calibre design with a free-standing barrel.
  • The balance wheel is fitted with wedge-shaped, partially blued steel weights.

Research qualifications

  • The specific identity of the enamel artist is not stated.
  • The provenance beyond its manufacture for the Chinese market is not documented.

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

Consulted source

Bovet, Fleurier (Val de Travers), Swiss, No. 699, made for the Chinese Market, circa 1840. Very fine 18 ct. gold and enamel, pearl-set centre second watch with special escapement.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record e33b32561e

Terms in this record

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