French gold engraved full hunter cylinder watch Circa 1850

Unique gold and engraved pocket watch by B. Haas Jeune & Cie.
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An impressive Swiss gold case manuel wound hunting cased cylinder watch with finely engraved scenes of the houses of parliament, place de la Concorde & a baroque building, circa 1850. This timepiece showcases a gilded jewelled movement with a cylinder escapement and a plain three arm balance, all signed B.Haas Jeune Bréveté à Besancon. The watch features a white enamel dial with Roman numerals, an outer minute ring, gold fancy hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial. Signed B.Haas Jne, Bréveté S.G.D.G., Besançon.
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Encased in a stunning gold ornate hunting case, the front cover displays a patented Haas case winding mechanism and fine engravings depicting a baroque building, while the back features the British Houses of Parliament and the inside back displays Place de La Concorde in Paris. The inside front is adorned with a monogram within an engine turned border, and the bezels and band are intricately chased and engraved with geometric scrolling decoration. The hand setting is conveniently located through the push button in the bow, and the cuvette is engraved with remontoir perpétuel bté and signed B. Haas Jne. Fsseur Bté de S.M. L’Empereur, Genève, Besançon, Paris.
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Diameter: 53.5 mm
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Signed: B.Haas Jne, Bréveté S.G.D.G., Besançon.
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The dial has a small scratch on the edge between 2 and 3 o’clock. The case shows scuffs throughout but is overall in good condition. The movement is running, with the hands setting smoothly.
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B. Haas Jeune & Cie.
In 1848, brothers Benjamin Haas (1829-1925) and Leopold Haas (1827-1915) established the company B. Haas or B. Haas & Cie, later officially known as Ancienne Manufacture de Montres Haas & Cie. Based in Geneva, the Haas house gained renown for producing exceptional watches that still hold a modern appeal today. The Haas watch manufacturer was known for its unique and exclusive pieces, including rare treasures like double chronographs, finely crafted bags, and wristwatches. The company’s outstanding principle was the fusion of simplicity, technology, and elegance. With branches in New York, Paris, Cannes, and Besançon, the company was headquartered in Geneva at Quai de Montblanc 5.
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Benjamin Haas patented a winding system in 1873, in which the spring was wound by opening the lid of the savonnette. This innovative system, explained and illustrated under British Patent No. 3945, granted to Benjamin Haas on December 2, 1873, was utilized by other watchmakers such as Humbert-Ramuz & Co. and Louis Frédéric Lebet for a fee.
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The company name B. Haas was later changed to B. Haas Jeune & Cie, and in 1884, it became Haas Neveux & Cie, reflecting the inclusion of new family members in the business. Concurrently, the original logo of BH & Co. was replaced with a small running rabbit, symbolizing the dynamism of the company under the letters HNC. In 1896, the manufactory achieved a record with an ultra thin drive (2mm) for a women’s watch. Additionally, a Swiss patent no. 4230 was received by the company B. Haas Jeune (Paris) and “Gustave Trouve Ingenieure und Elektrotiker” in 1891 for the illumination of dials of pocket watches and pendulums.
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Both Benjamin and Leopold Haas were honoured as Knights of the Legion of Honor.
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English Patent No. 3945 was awarded to Benjamin Haas on December 2, 1873, for the development of a new and unusual form of winding that utilized the energy generated when the front cover of a watch was closed. Haas improved the original system and equipped his watch with a 36 hour power reserve (by closing the lid twelve times). He replaced the flying barrel with an additional wheel, enabling a three hour wind by simply closing the lid. Haas also invented a safety device that disengaged the mechanism when fully wound, preventing damage to the lid.