EDOUARD JUVET, FLEURIER | A MATCHED PAIR OF FINE GOLD AND ENAMEL OPEN-FACED WATCHES MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET, CIRCA 1865, NO. 41981 AND 42308
Estimate:
75,000
Property from an Important Italian Collection
EDOUARD JUVET, FLEURIER | A MATCHED PAIR OF FINE GOLD AND ENAMEL OPEN-FACED WATCHES MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET, CIRCA 1865, NO. 41981 AND 42308
EDOUARD JUVET, FLEURIER | A MATCHED PAIR OF FINE GOLD AND ENAMEL OPEN-FACED WATCHES MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET, CIRCA 1865, NO. 41981 AND 42308
Estimate:
75,000
Lot sold:
88,200
GBP
Property from an Important Italian Collection
EDOUARD JUVET, FLEURIER
A MATCHED PAIR OF FINE GOLD AND ENAMEL OPEN-FACED WATCHES MADE FOR THE CHINESE MARKET
CIRCA 1865, NO. 41981 AND 42308
Movements: each with gilded highly decoratively engraved Chinese calibres, duplex escapements, diamond endstones, signed and numbered Edouard Juvet, Fleurier, 41981 & 42308
Dials: white enamel, Roman numerals, centre seconds
Cases: gold, polychrome enamel panel depicting a shepherd playing a flute for two young maids, champlevé enamel decoration to bezels and pendant, engraved decoration to gold cuvettes, numbered 41981 & 42308
diameters 59mm & 58.5mm
Accompanied by a later associated fitted presentation case
No. 42308
Movement: runs for a short time then stops
Dial: in good condition. Minute and seconds hand overlapping and stuck
Case: enamel scene with surface scratches. Some small chips to the champlevé decoration
No. 41981
Movement: not running
Dial: in good condition
Case: enamel scene in good condition. Case and decoration in good condition
Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of time and may need a service at the buyer's expense. Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts.
You are advised that watch straps or bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator or crocodile) are not sold with the watch and we reserve the right to remove these straps or bands prior to shipping. Furthermore, the watch may not come with its original manufacturers strap or band.
Prospective bidders should review the Conditions of Business, Authenticity Guarantee, the Guide for Prospective Buyers, and any Important Notice in the sale catalogue.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."
No. 42308 - Antiquorum Geneva, 14 October 1990, lot 389.
Romanticised country views were a popular genre used to decorate the enamel panels of Chinese-market watches. These bucolic scenes were inspired by the works of artists such as William Hamilton (1751-1801) whose series 'Morning', 'Noon', 'Evening' and 'Night' may have influenced the composition of the enamel painted panels on the present two watches. An almost identical watch once formed part of the famous watch collection of Samuel N. Tonkin. The latter piece, numbered 41972, sequentially just nine numbers prior to the lowest of the two numbered watches offered here, was sold at Sotheby & Co., New York, 13 November 1967, lot 45. A further pair of almost identical watches may be found at the Musée L.U.Ceum, - Traces du Temps, at the Chopard Manufacture S.A. in Fleurier, Switzerland; the latter watches are also described and illustrated in: Didier, M. & Tellier, A., The Mirror of Seduction, Prestigious Pairs of Chinese Watches, Patek Philippe Museum publication, 2010, pp. 132-133. In total, approximately 8 watches by Juvet are known with the same country scene as that found on the present matched pair. In all these examples the figures are depicted facing the same direction. While watches with different scenes to the present pair - but which are themselves identically styled to one another - are known, this genre was also produced in mirror image pairs. However, as demand was growing for decorative enamel watches within the Chinese market during the second half of the 19th century, one may speculate that the popularity of the present scene meant that, for reasons of expediency, a decision was made to commission the present scene in one format only.
Édouard Juvet (1820-1883) was already established as a watchmaker in Buttes in 1842 but he quickly moved his workshop to Fleurier in 1844. According to Édouard’s correspondence, which was examined by A. Chapuis whilst preparing his book La Montre Chinoise, Juvet began manufacturing watches in 1856. A year later,
Édouard’s nephew Louis Juvet left for China to organise the sale of the company’s watches there. Tragically Louis was killed in an accident and his brother Charles, who replaced him in Shanghai, also died in China. Fritz Laidrich who had worked for the Juvets in Fleurier travelled to China to work for the company and he was joined by Édouard’s son, Ami-Louis, who later died there. In August 1871, in his stead, Ami-Louis’ brother Léo (1848-1891) travelled to China to work for the family firm. Édouard died in February 1883 and his son Léo succeeded him as head of the company. By the time of Édouard’s death, the Juvet firm had greatly expanded and prospered. In Shanghai they were rivalled only by the Bovets (with whom they retained friendly relations), and the company’s success led Juvet to open further branches in Tientsin and Saigon. For a more detailed history of the Juvets, see: A. Chapuis, La Montre Chinoise, 1919, pp. 148-149.