Edouard Juvet (1820-1883) was born in Fleurier and was the son of a farmer. He established his first watchmaking factory in Buttes in 1842, later relocating to his Fleurier hometown in 1844. Juvet began manufacturing watches for the Chinese market in 1856 and it is documented that several relationships with the Juvet house existed, with many supplying finished movements to the company.

By 1857, his nephews and sons were actively involved in the family business, moving to China to establish and manage Juvet's overseas operations. The dynamism and activity of Edouard's son, Leo, in Shanghai, Tien-Tsin, and later in Saigon—where the Juvet firm opened branches—greatly enhanced the firm's reputation and success in Asia.

In 1875, Edouard granted power of attorney to Leo, who succeeded him as head of the firm upon Edouard's death. Their firm was one of the last to produce these types of "Chinese" movements. After Leo’s passing in 1891, the firm continued under the management of three of his sons, becoming known as Juvet Frères, continuing to export to China while producing new styles of watches.

In these “Chinese” market pocket watches by Juvet, romanticized country scenes were a popular decorative motif for the enamel panels. These bucolic depictions were inspired by artists such as William Hamilton (1751-1801). His series "Morning", "Noon", "Evening" and "Night" may have influenced the composition of the enamel panels on the present watch, which features a young shepherd playing the flute for two maidens in the countryside. Only a handful of examples by Juvet are known to feature this same pastoral scene.

The exquisite enamel work is attributed to Jean-Louis Richter (1766-1841) of Geneva, who studied under the celebrated David-Etienne and Philippe-Samuel-Théodore Roux. Richter was often inspired by known paintings and prints of his time, incorporating them into his enamel work rather than relying solely on imagination. He was renowned for his characteristic heads, which, upon closer inspection, reveal interesting proportions and doll-like features. While some differences exist between Richter's interpretations and the originals, these variations can largely be attributed to the constraints of enameling techniques. Nonetheless, these changes are harmonious and may reflect Richter's own artistic intent.

Although Richter’s signature appears on some of his works, the majority remain unsigned yet are easily identifiable by their quality and style. His landscapes and figures are among the most accomplished of the period and can be admired in Geneva's Musée de l'Horlogerie et de l'Emaillerie and the prestigious Patek Philippe Museum.

Beyond the enamel panel, the case is exceptionally well preserved and adorned with multi-colored champlevé enamel decoration throughout the case, pendant and bow. The impressive detailing extends to the cuvette and movement, both lavishly engraved and gilt, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship inside and out. The duplex escapement found in the present watch is also impressive, achieving much higher accuracy than the cylinder escapement.

This watch, kept in a private collection untouched for over 30 years, has now resurfaced in the auction room. Phillips is honored to present this exquisite piece of horological art, allowing enthusiasts to admire the enamel craftsmanship from 200 years ago.