Edouard Juvet - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SIX Hong Kong Monday, May 28, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Edouard Juvet
    Year: Circa 1850
    Movement No: 44007 and 44008
    Case No: 44007 and 44008, cuvette on the second also numbered 08
    Model Name: The Serpent Attack
    Material: Silver gilt, enamel and pearl
    Calibre: Manual, duplex movement
    Dimensions: Each 57mm. Diameter
    Signed: Both movements signed, both movements and cases numbered
    Accessories: With later wooden presentation box and winding and setting keys
    Literature: Similar Edouard Juvet watches are illustrated in Antique Chinese Calibre Pocket Watches, Collection of Kiu Tai Yu Museum, see page 216-217 for The Tiger Attack.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The arrival of Matteo Ricci, a Jesuit priest, in Macau in 1552 may have gone little noticed in the annals of history except for the fact that his admiration and respect for the Chinese culture lead him to study classical Chinese becoming fluent in both the spoken and written forms. As a missionary and scholar in astronomy and cosmology he became known for his scholarship and skills in particular pertaining to solar eclipses. With his speaking abilities, he became the first European to enter the Forbidden City (1601) as an invited counselor to the emperor. Upon his death in 1610, the Wanli Emperor was petitioned to allow Ricci’s body to be buried in Beijing, which at the time prohibited the burial of foreigners. Ricci brought to the Chinese court many riches from the western world, and two that became most cherished were chiming mechanical clocks and enameled pocket watches. The popularity of these fine enamel timepieces became so great that in time there arose an industry for pieces made for the “Chinese Market”.

    First during the 18th century, manufacturing of these ornate timepieces was centered in England, however by the 19th century the center shifted to Switzerland. The movements were made with decorative and intricate engraved designs appealing to Chinese tastes, and become known as “Chinese Calibers”. Additionally, the cases were decorated in exquisite and elaborate designs such as enamel florals or like the present lot, The Serpent Attack. These two fine watches from the mid-19th century are part of this long tradition. Represented in fine polychrome enamel, the hunt scene features a gentleman and woman in the howdah with a serpent springing from the jungle grass, the elephant firmly grasping the serpent, while the gentleman and driver defend the woman. Sequentially numbered, 44007 and 44008, these two watches have the same scene but when put side by side one realized they are mirror images of each other.

    These two attractive pocket watches were made by Edouard Juvet (1820-1883), who originally had a workshop in Buttes Switzerland, but later moved his atelier to Fleurier in 1844. Known for his high-quality enamel pocket watches, Juvet is part of a select group of skilled artisans that worked closely with the Chinese market, so much so that his two sons where based in Shanghai with later branches in Tianjin and Ho Chih Minh City.

    While Chinese Market watches were originally made for the imperial court and nobility, overtime they became more commercialized and available to a larger audience. Today, Chinese enamel watches are highly collectible and desirable both for their exquisite beauty of design and technical duplex escapement.

843

A very rare, exceptionally fine and attractive pair of silver gilt, enamel and pearl-set mirror-image open face center seconds duplex watches with presentation box and winding keys, made for the Chinese market

Circa 1850
Each 57mm. Diameter
Both movements signed, both movements and cases numbered

Estimate
HK$165,000 - 250,000 
€18,200-27,500
$21,200-32,100

Sold for HK$1,250,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SIX

Hong Kong Auction 29 May 2018