Swiss gold watch with cover winding mechanism Circa 1885

Double hunter cased pocket watch by B. Haas Jeune & Co.
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An intricate and almost as new Swiss double hunter cased pocket watch with cover winding mechanism and perpetual calendar, circa 1885. Accompanied with gold watch chain and original box.
18 Carat pink gold, tiered, engine turned, à goutte case: – the front lid with engraved crown and Arabic signature: Muhsin; – and the back lid with an engraved signature within a laurel wreath: Mustafa, and glazed on both sides.
Two dials: – frontside: enamel with radial Roman hours, auxiliary seconds, aperture for moon phase with cobalt blue enamelled moon phase disc and inlaid golden stars and moon, an outer indication of the moon age, a window for the display of the year, the second window for indication of the months in French and gold spade hands; – backside: outer enamel chapter ring with weekday and date indicator and filigree gold hands.
Nickel plated bridge movement with Geneva Striping decoration, wolf’s teeth winding wheel, gold screw compensation balance and counterpoised lever.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Weight: 150 g
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Signed: B. Haas Jeune & Co. Genève/Paris
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This very rare calendar mechanism is fitted with a concealed perpetual calendar, which operates through a visible wheel with purpose built gearing that turns once a year. One after the other each of the 12 teeth control the monthly cycle; the variations of the February tooth are created by a mounted sub mechanism.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 the first prize for precision in the 1902 competition of the famous “Observatoire de Genève”. Benjamin Haas 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 that disengaged the mechanism when fully wound and thus prevented any damage to the cover.