An exceptionally rare find, the present lot consists of a pair of two ornate antique pocket watches by the eminent Swiss watchmaker Edouard Juvet. These two matching timepieces represent the pinnacle of 19th century decorative watchmaking, hailing from the storied watchmaking valley of Fleurier in the Swiss Jura Mountains. It was in Fleurier that Edouard Juvet honed his mastery of lavish techniques like enameling, crafting timepieces catering specifically to the Chinese market that demanded European luxuries. It is believed that Chinese loved to buy paired watches. Partially true however, the main reason was due to the fact that the second piece was meant to be a spare in case the other cease to function. Back in the days where world travel takes a huge effort, it took no less than two years to send the watch back to Fleurier for servicing. Notably, the idea of specular paintings originated from Bovet due to demand of cultural love for symmetry amongst Asians.


The demand in China for Swiss watches had exploded during the mid-19th century, and Juvet's exquisite enamel work was highly prized. His watches sold swiftly in bustling Shanghai, then expanded to outposts in Saigon and Tianjin to reach other emerging Asian markets. As Juvet's son Leo remarked in memoirs, their watches were selling "like salt," testifying to the vast opportunities of the Chinese luxury market even in the 19th century.

Both of these pocket watches bear Juvet's signature ornate enamel work on the caseback, a painstaking technique involving applying vibrant enamel over finely engraved images. Depicted is the ancient legend of Titus and Berenice, an emotional tale of romance from classical antiquity that clearly resonated deeply across cultures. The rich enamel colors recreate the scenes in remarkable detail that has endured over a century without fading.

Within each of the cases ticks one of Juvet's highly praised key-wound movements, keeping time with superlative accuracy. The movements are chased with flowers and foliage and the gold cuvettes engraved with stars and ribbon work borders. The pristine white enamel dials display bold black Roman numerals for the hours and more delicate Arabic numerals marking the minutes at 15, 30, 45 and 60. The bezels, pendants and bows are decorated with half flowers in blue and white on translucent red enamel over engine turning.

For collectors who appreciate not just the mechanical virtuosity but the heritage and stories behind 19th century watchmaking and cultural exchange, this rare opportunity to acquire a matching pair of Juvet's creations in exceptionally well-preserved condition and accompanied by their original leather presentation box is momentous. Their exuberant beauty and rarity cement Edouard Juvet's legacy as one of Fleurier's most skillful and renowned watchmaking artisans of the 19th century. Like the enduring ancient tale of Titus and Berenice depicted, these pocket watches will persist through future generations as prized relics of horology's history.