French gold and enamel full hunter cased lady’s watch Circa 1850

Gold and enamel cylinder watch by Benjamin Haas Jeune & Cie
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A very fine, museum like French 18 Carat gold and enamel hunting cased lady’s pocket watch, circa 1850. The case features lavish chasing and engraving on both sides, with the back showcasing a polychrome enamel monogram adorned with blue and red champlevé enamel. The inside of the case features a portrait of a gentleman and the band is engraved. The white enamel dial displays black Roman hours and gold Arabic minutes, along with gold spade hands. Additionally, the watch includes a gold engine turned and signed cuvette, a signed rhodium plated 2/3 plate movement with Geneva striping decoration, a gold wheel train, cylinder escapement, gold ring balance, and automatic lid winding according to the Haas patent.
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Diameter: 33 mm
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Weight: 40 g
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Signed: B. Haas Jne & Cie à Besancon, Genève & Paris
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Benjamin Haas was granted English patent No. 3945 on December 2, 1873, for a unique winding mechanism that utilized the energy generated when the front cover of the watch is closed. Haas further developed the original idea, resulting in a watch with a well developed system and a 36 hour power reserve generated by twelve closings. He modified the going train by adding an additional wheel, allowing a single closing to achieve three hours of winding. Additionally, he invented a safety device that disengaged the mechanism when fully wound, preventing any damage to the cover.