Contact Seller
Carlton Clocks
Tel01935 713333Please quote Antiques Atlas.
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Non UK callers :
+44 1935 713333
Chinese Petite Sonnerie Carriage clock, Bovet Frèr
A very rare antique Chinese carriage antique clock this is an original Bovet Frères carriage clock from c.1900 with centre seconds and petite sonnerie striking, alarm and repeat functions, and is unusually signed with the Chinese trademark for Bovet.
The 8 day movement has the original silvered lever platform escapement. The backplate is stamped with a Chinese cartouche depicting the same characters as the dial. This is "bo wei", being the Chinese name for Bovet. The gong block is stamped FRANCE, and holds 2 gongs the petite sonnerie strike pattern is on two gongs on the quarters, and the hours strikes on one gong. The alarm sounds only on the higher-toned gong. Depressing the button on top of the case will repeat the last hour sounded.
The corniche-style case is in mint condition, having been regilded. Beveled glasses to all sides, and the oval top glass are also perfect.
Similarly, the white enamel dial is in perfect original condition, signed to the centre. The time dial has Roman numerals, the alarm dial below with Arabic numerals.
Three original matching blued steel moon hands, to include a centre seconds hand.
Height to the top of the carrying handle is 6½ inches.
We have not yet overhauled the movement, but once done, the clock will be guaranteed for 3 years.
The three Bovet brothers, Bovet Frères, Frederick (born 1786), Alphonse (born 1788) and Edouard (born 1797) had worked alongside their father, the watchmaker Jean-Frédéric Bovet in Fleurier, Switzerland, where they were contemporaries of their cousin, the well-known horologist George-Alfred Vaucher. In 1812 they left the area and moved to London where they worked with Ilbery & Magniac, both of whom saw the potential in the emerging Chinese market, and in 1818 sent Edouard to Canton to establish a business selling watches there. In 1822, Edouard himself having sold a number of his own watches for good money in Canton, returned to London to set up business alongside his brothers with the sole intention of making the most of this Chinese love of Western horological pieces.
Edouard concentrated on the Canton side of the business, whilst the two brothers remained in London arranging the shipments outward. A fourth brother, Gustave, was charged with running the manufacturing side of the business back in their home-town of Fleurier. They set up workshops in Canton in 1830 but this operation proved too large and expensive, especially with the troubles brought by the Opium Wars which were raging at this time, and a smaller operation was set up in Macau.
By 1855 the watch market in China effectively crashed overnight with the Opium Wars still causing problems for the various companies trying to trade in the country. This, allied with competition from the American and German watch companies who were able to produce and sell cheaper watches, and, by this date, the death of the three brothers, meant that in 1864 the company, now possibly being run by their nephew Louis Bovet, sold their interest to another Fleurier business run by Jules Jequier and Ernest Bobillier, who were soon joined by Ami Leuba. Although this effectively ended the family’s connection, the name continued in various ways until the 1960s, being run for a short period in the mid-20th century by descendants of the Bovet family.
Although a number of fine antique clocks are known by Bovet Frères, their main production was in watches of superb quality, which were often sold in pairs as was the custom in China at that time the Chinese liked to have symmetry, especially when hanging the watches on a wall, with the desire to show both front and back. According to Eugène Jaquet and Alfred Chapuis, writing in the ‘The Technique and History of the Swiss Watch’ published in 1953, many of the watches sold by Bovet Frères were very English in their design and execution indeed Chapuis, writing in ‘The Montre Chinoise‘ goes as far as to suggest that many signed as made in Fleurier were in fact made in England.
The popularity of Bovet watches in China in the mid 19th century meant that bo wei became a common noun there for watches for many years. We are proud to be one of the UK’s finest suppliers of high quality Antique Clocks. We are based in Somerset, but also serve the rest of the UK. We are also delighted to have a number of overseas customers.
The workshops have recently relocated to Somerset and we continue to stock a large range of antique clocks and new clocks at very competitive prices.
We are proud to be members of LAPADA, the Association of Art and Antique Dealers.
Carlton Clocks is also a business partner of the British Horological Institute.
Ian has years of experience in restoring and maintaining clocks. He has a particular interest in early electric clocks. You will see from our Electric Clocks catalogue that we also manufacture and supply a small range of parts for Bulle, Eureka and Brillie electric clocks.
The mix of other clocks for sale is limited only by what Ian finds interesting and/or beautiful, aesthetically or mechanically.
SellerCarlton Clocks
View all stock from
Carlton Clocks
Bank Farm
Lower Odcombe
Yeovil
Somerset
BA22 8TY
Tel : 01935 713333
Non UK callers : +44 1935 713333
Get directions to Carlton Clocks
The 8 day movement has the original silvered lever platform escapement. The backplate is stamped with a Chinese cartouche depicting the same characters as the dial. This is "bo wei", being the Chinese name for Bovet. The gong block is stamped FRANCE, and holds 2 gongs the petite sonnerie strike pattern is on two gongs on the quarters, and the hours strikes on one gong. The alarm sounds only on the higher-toned gong. Depressing the button on top of the case will repeat the last hour sounded.
The corniche-style case is in mint condition, having been regilded. Beveled glasses to all sides, and the oval top glass are also perfect.
Similarly, the white enamel dial is in perfect original condition, signed to the centre. The time dial has Roman numerals, the alarm dial below with Arabic numerals.
Three original matching blued steel moon hands, to include a centre seconds hand.
Height to the top of the carrying handle is 6½ inches.
We have not yet overhauled the movement, but once done, the clock will be guaranteed for 3 years.
The three Bovet brothers, Bovet Frères, Frederick (born 1786), Alphonse (born 1788) and Edouard (born 1797) had worked alongside their father, the watchmaker Jean-Frédéric Bovet in Fleurier, Switzerland, where they were contemporaries of their cousin, the well-known horologist George-Alfred Vaucher. In 1812 they left the area and moved to London where they worked with Ilbery & Magniac, both of whom saw the potential in the emerging Chinese market, and in 1818 sent Edouard to Canton to establish a business selling watches there. In 1822, Edouard himself having sold a number of his own watches for good money in Canton, returned to London to set up business alongside his brothers with the sole intention of making the most of this Chinese love of Western horological pieces.
Edouard concentrated on the Canton side of the business, whilst the two brothers remained in London arranging the shipments outward. A fourth brother, Gustave, was charged with running the manufacturing side of the business back in their home-town of Fleurier. They set up workshops in Canton in 1830 but this operation proved too large and expensive, especially with the troubles brought by the Opium Wars which were raging at this time, and a smaller operation was set up in Macau.
By 1855 the watch market in China effectively crashed overnight with the Opium Wars still causing problems for the various companies trying to trade in the country. This, allied with competition from the American and German watch companies who were able to produce and sell cheaper watches, and, by this date, the death of the three brothers, meant that in 1864 the company, now possibly being run by their nephew Louis Bovet, sold their interest to another Fleurier business run by Jules Jequier and Ernest Bobillier, who were soon joined by Ami Leuba. Although this effectively ended the family’s connection, the name continued in various ways until the 1960s, being run for a short period in the mid-20th century by descendants of the Bovet family.
Although a number of fine antique clocks are known by Bovet Frères, their main production was in watches of superb quality, which were often sold in pairs as was the custom in China at that time the Chinese liked to have symmetry, especially when hanging the watches on a wall, with the desire to show both front and back. According to Eugène Jaquet and Alfred Chapuis, writing in the ‘The Technique and History of the Swiss Watch’ published in 1953, many of the watches sold by Bovet Frères were very English in their design and execution indeed Chapuis, writing in ‘The Montre Chinoise‘ goes as far as to suggest that many signed as made in Fleurier were in fact made in England.
The popularity of Bovet watches in China in the mid 19th century meant that bo wei became a common noun there for watches for many years. We are proud to be one of the UK’s finest suppliers of high quality Antique Clocks. We are based in Somerset, but also serve the rest of the UK. We are also delighted to have a number of overseas customers.
The workshops have recently relocated to Somerset and we continue to stock a large range of antique clocks and new clocks at very competitive prices.
We are proud to be members of LAPADA, the Association of Art and Antique Dealers.
Carlton Clocks is also a business partner of the British Horological Institute.
Ian has years of experience in restoring and maintaining clocks. He has a particular interest in early electric clocks. You will see from our Electric Clocks catalogue that we also manufacture and supply a small range of parts for Bulle, Eureka and Brillie electric clocks.
The mix of other clocks for sale is limited only by what Ian finds interesting and/or beautiful, aesthetically or mechanically.
Price The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 23/MAY/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. to include delivery within the mainland UK
Period Late 19th Century Antiques
Material Gilt
Origin French
Condition In excellent condition throughout, the movement to be overhauled and guaranteed for 3 years.
Item code as392a397 / 1554ii
Status Sold
£3250.00 
$4131.40 
€3816.48 
$
€
Conversion rates as of 23/MAY/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. to include delivery within the mainland UK
Shipping information
We deliver our clocks fully insured free of charge anywhere in the United Kingdom and include comprehensive setting up instructions. Quotations can be arranged anywhere else worldwide.
View all stock from
Carlton Clocks
Bank FarmLower Odcombe
Yeovil
Somerset
BA22 8TY
Tel : 01935 713333
Non UK callers : +44 1935 713333
Get directions to Carlton Clocks
You may also be interested in
Late 20th Century Miniature Matthew Norman Clock
Giant French Carriage Clock By Drocourt
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Small French strike repeat alarm Carriage Clock
Engraved Giant French Carriage Clock Alarm by Hollinge
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