96th Auction
2017/11/18
Lot 444
Maison Benjamin Haas Jeune, Genève-Paris, Case No. 13760, 59 mm, 211 g, circa 1900
A remarkable, heavy minute repeating double sided pocket watch with patented cover winding mechanism, PERPETUAL calendar, moon phase and second time zone
Case: 18k gold. Dial: enamel. Movm.: 1/2 plate movement, 2 hammers / 2 gongs, gold screw compensation balance.
According to our information this is the most complicated pocket watch with cover winding Haas ever created.
Haas & Cie.
In 1848 the brothers Leopold (1827-1915) and Benjamin (1828-1925) Haas, both knights of the Légion d'honneur, founded the ANCIENNE MANUFACTURE DES MONTRES HAAS & CIE in Geneva. The company excelled in unique and exceptional pieces and achieved its reputation with exquisite watches that pass for modern even today. Rare treasures such as the split second chronograph and beautifully wrought pocket and wristwatches were created in accordance with the manufacturer's fundamental motto of simplicity, technique and elegance. Benjamin Haas invented a form of winding where the mainspring was wound by opening the front cover of a hunting case watch. Patents, 1873, p. 48 illustrated and outlined British patent No. 3945, issued Dec. 2, 1873 to B. Haas. This patent was licensed to other makers. 1884 Haas changed their name to Haas Neveux & Cie, to communicate that new family members had taken positions in the company. At the same time the original logo of B.H. & Co. (for Benjamin Haas & Co) was changed to a small running hare and the letters HNC in an oval shape - representing the dynamic attitude of the company. In 1896 Haas Neveux & Cie establishes a record with an ultraflat 2mm movement for a ladies' watch and wins a first price for precision in the 1902 competition of the famous "Observatoire de Genève". 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.
A remarkable, heavy minute repeating double sided pocket watch with patented cover winding mechanism, PERPETUAL calendar, moon phase and second time zone
Case: 18k gold. Dial: enamel. Movm.: 1/2 plate movement, 2 hammers / 2 gongs, gold screw compensation balance.
According to our information this is the most complicated pocket watch with cover winding Haas ever created.
Haas & Cie.
In 1848 the brothers Leopold (1827-1915) and Benjamin (1828-1925) Haas, both knights of the Légion d'honneur, founded the ANCIENNE MANUFACTURE DES MONTRES HAAS & CIE in Geneva. The company excelled in unique and exceptional pieces and achieved its reputation with exquisite watches that pass for modern even today. Rare treasures such as the split second chronograph and beautifully wrought pocket and wristwatches were created in accordance with the manufacturer's fundamental motto of simplicity, technique and elegance. Benjamin Haas invented a form of winding where the mainspring was wound by opening the front cover of a hunting case watch. Patents, 1873, p. 48 illustrated and outlined British patent No. 3945, issued Dec. 2, 1873 to B. Haas. This patent was licensed to other makers. 1884 Haas changed their name to Haas Neveux & Cie, to communicate that new family members had taken positions in the company. At the same time the original logo of B.H. & Co. (for Benjamin Haas & Co) was changed to a small running hare and the letters HNC in an oval shape - representing the dynamic attitude of the company. In 1896 Haas Neveux & Cie establishes a record with an ultraflat 2mm movement for a ladies' watch and wins a first price for precision in the 1902 competition of the famous "Observatoire de Genève". 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.
estimated
36.000—45.000 €
Price realized
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