Bovet Fleurier

• finely engraved gilt lateral lever movement, balance with blued halberd-style screwed weights • white enamel dial, Roman numerals, centre seconds outer track minutes/seconds divisions, Arabic quarter hour numerals • case decorated on both bezels and bow with split pearls, polychrome enamel to the case back depicting a fine composition of summer flowers on a pink background • movement and dial signed

One of the most successful Swiss horological dynasties, Bovet was established by four brothers from Fleurier. Three of the brothers, Edouard, Frédéric, and Alphonse, had first set up a business in London in 1815, making watches for the domestic market. In 1818, Edouard was hired by the maison Magniac to be a watchmaker for them in Canton. In 1822, having realised the great possibilities of the Chinese market, the Bovets established their own company in China, Edouard remaining in Canton, Frédéric (born 1786) and Alphonse (1788-1850) working out of London, and Gustave (1790-1849) out of their home town, Fleurier. Affairs prospered, the name “Bovet” becoming almost synonymous with the word “watch” for the Chinese.