Beschreibung:

Vaucher (Fleurier), a gilt silver pocket watch made for the Chinese market, c. 1870. Gilt silver case with enamel painting depicting a bouquet of flowers, bezels set with split pearls, pearl set pendant and bow. Mirror polished steel keywind movement with gilt details, duplex escapement, signed Vaucher Fleurier. Diameter c. 62 mm. Three keys included; The watch appears to be in very good condition. Stockholms Auktionsverk is delighted to present an exquisite private collection of enamel pocket watches of outstandingly high technical and artistical quality. Pocket watches of this type and style were highly appreciated and sought after in 19th century China, largely due to the Emperor Jia Qing and the Chinese court, who came into possession of these exclusive watches through gifts and commissions. Four of the watches are manufactured in Flurier, Switzerland, which was the 19th century center of production for exclusive enamel watches intended for the Chinese market. The manufacturers Vaucher, Juvet and Bovet were producing movements and watches under their own brand as well as in collaboration with and on behalf of other watch brands such as William Illery in London. The fifth watch is manufactured by the firm Henri Sandoz in Le Locle. This watch too was intended for the Chinese market, but differs significantly from the other four both in appearance and technique. The clockwork is complicated - it has a chronograph and it repeats hours, quarters and minutes, enabling the wearer to keep track of time, even in the dark. Given the high quality of the enamel painting, the painting was probably executed by one of the anonymous yet outstandingly talented enamel painters in Geneva. Per Ekelund