Swiss astronomical minute repeating pocket watch Circa 1935

Platinum complicated watch by Haas Neveux & Cie.
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A very fine, thin, astronomical, minute repeating Swiss pocket watch with perpetual calendar and moon phase, circa 1935.
Platinum, monogrammed, polished case with push back and slide for repeating mechanism. Signed silvered dial with Arabic numerals, auxiliary seconds, cobalt blue enamelled moon phase disc with inlaid golden stars and moon, day, date and month indicator considering the leap year and blued Breguet hands. Rhodium plated bridge movement with “Geneva striping” decoration, two hammers, two gongs, Geneva quality hallmark and gold screw compensation balance.
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Diameter: 46 mm
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Weight: 63 g
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Signed: Haas Neveux & Cie., Genève
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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 full hunter cased 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.

In 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 ultra flat 2mm movement for a ladies’ watch and wins a first price for precision in the 1902 competition of the famous “Observatoire de Genève”.