An especially fine large antique sterling silver cased open face pocketwatch of the type specially designed and built for the Chinese Market by the well known maker 'BOVET, London' and hallmarked for 1844.       During the course of the early China Trade period and into the mid nineteenth century the Imperial Chinese government and upper classes of the Chinese population considered very little of what Western society produced to be of any interest or value. However, clocks and pocketwatches were one exception and from the earliest days of the China Trade these mechanical devices were in demand in the Celestial Empire, and became a considerable status symbol for those who could afford them.         British and Swiss watchmakers developed a special very impressive pocketwatch for the Chinese market which was of large size and featured a highly engraved and sculpted gilded movement skeletonized to display the mechanical excellence of the timepiece. Since these pocketwatches were luxury items they were of high quality with well jeweled movements. These timepieces also featured a large center-mounted-sweep-second hand which would  count the seconds for its owner. The earliest movements of these special watches had 'Duplex' escapements. Unfortunately the duplex system was not especially reliable or accurate. Fortunately for all concerned the reliable an accurate 'Lever' escapement was developed in the early 19th century (and is still used in mechanical watches). It is interesting to note the Swiss branch of 'BOVET' is still producing luxury timepieces.       This most impressive watch was built by Edourad Bovet who established his watchmaking business in London in 1822 and specialized in making special timepieces for the Chinese market. It is thought Bovet established his business in London so that he could safely maintain a supply of watches to China via the ships of the British East India Company. For a most interesting article on Bovet and his China Trade watches .        This beautiful 'BOVET London' watch features a signed well jeweled, engraved, and sculpted thirty hour lever escapement key wind & key set movement, the highest quality of its type at its time of production. the escapement's lever is extra long to display a maximum of movement, and its end is shaped like a Chinese pike. The balance wheel is built with three blued steel miniature hatchet blades attached to its outer edge. It was believed the pike and hatchets would protect the mechanics of the piece from internal demons. Those experienced in the restoration and care of antique timepieces can well attest to the existence of demons within mechanical devices. The watch was built with a fine porcelain dial and mounted in a London manufactured sterling silver case with London hallmarks. The case bears the hallmark date letter for 1844 which was at the height of nineteenth century China Trade and coincided with the opening of 'Treaty Ports' in Shanghai and Hong Kong. The inside of the case also bears Chinese markings. Condition: This handsome watch is in excellent original condition. The movement runs well and retains its original stopworks. The dial is excellent and the blued steel hands are original. The case is excellent showing very little wear and very crisp markings.       This is an exceptionally fine original example of a fascinating, scarce, exotic, and historical China Trade artifact foir the collector.       Dimensions: overall height  3 1/4", case diameter 2 1/4", dial 2 1/16", movement diameter 2" Shipping Note: We sell internationally via the Ebay Global Shipping Program. Before bidding, please make sure that your country is eligible for this program. Otherwise we ship only within the USA.