Bovet - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SIX Hong Kong Monday, May 28, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Bovet
    Year: Circa 2000
    Reference No: C800
    Case No: 003438
    Model Name: Sportster Zodiac
    Material: stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2844, 28 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Bovet deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Bovet's relationship with China go back to the 19th century, when the company specialized in exquisite, usually enameled pieces for the Far Eastern market. The present watch celebrates the ties of the watchmaking brand with the Chinese country thanks to its special dial graphics. Not only it features Chinese characters for indexes, but furthermore these characters do not represent the numbers 1 to 12, rather the Chinese Zodiac signs. This configuration - far from being a simple aesthetic experiment - has its roots in ancient Chinese culture and Feng Shui. According to this discipline, the day can be divided in 12 2-hour periods, and each period is associated with a Zodiac sign (for example, 7 AM - 9 AM is the time of the Dragon); for each person, the period of the day associated with their sign is considered auspicious.

  • Artist Biography

    Bovet

    Swiss • 1822

    The firm Bovet 1822 has a rich, centuries-long history beginning when Edouard Bovet sold four decorative pocket watches in Canton Asia for what would today equal $1 million. By 1822, Edouard, with his brothers, registered the company in London, which at the time was an important center for watches and clocks. That same year, they moved their manufacturing center to the Swiss municipality Fleurier. Bovet became known for their highly decorative pocket watches for the Chinese market. Their richly engraved movements were so important to the watch that Bovet created the concept of the transparent watch back so owners could see the beauty of the movement. Bovet's oversized chronograph wristwatches, such as the Mono Rattrapante chronograph, are especially sought-after. Today, the firm continues their tradition of exquisitely enameled watches.

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FROM AN IMPORTANT ASIAN COLLECTOR

Σ827

Ref. C800
A fine and unusual stainless steel automatic chronograph wristwatch with date

Circa 2000
40mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$64,000 - 96,000 
€7,000-10,600
$8,200-12,300

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