Lot 323

Pahlow/B. Haas Jeune & Co.

A collection of 6 pocket watches
An intricate and rare minute repeating hunting case pocket watch movement in a later silver case with cover wind mechanism and full calendar

Sold

English patent No. 3945 of December 2, 1873 was granted to Benjamin Haas for the development of a novel and unusual winding mechanism, which used the energy that is generated when the front cover of the watch is closed. Haas improved the original idea further and his watch possesses a well-developed system with a 36-hour power reserve (generated by twelve closings). Haas changed the going train by adding an additional wheel so that a single closing was able to achieve three hours' winding. He also invented a safety device which disengaged the mechanism when fully wound and thus prevented any damage to the cover.
In his book "Das klassische Taschenuhrgehäuse" (classic pocket watch cases) Steffen Pahlow (1941-2023), a self-taught Tourbillon maker, gave a fine explanation of pocket watch case making. The book describes his insights from his practical work and is a useful addition to the small supply of technical literature on the subject. He describes a possible way to get started with case-making from a self-taught perspective. This timepiece is a good example of his work.