Watch Data

Gold Repeating Split second Watch no. Unknown

Case: Yellow gold, hunting, cover winding, inner cuvette inscribed 'Prince Francois de Hatzfeldt-Wildenburg 1887' outer case with Monogramme and Hatzfeld family crest,

Dial: White enamel, arabic numerals, gold Louis XV hands, subsidiary seconds dial at 9, outer 0-300 numerals, signed in a circle at 3 "Mon. B. Haas Jeune, Geneve"

Movement: fine jewelled movement with polished steel chronograph work, cut and compensated bimetallic balance

Provenance:
18?? - Haas Neveux, Geneva

18?? - Prince Francois von Hatzfeldt-Wildenburg

2004 - Bonhams 23 Nov 2004 Sold for £ 14,340 "A fine and rare late 19th century 18ct rose gold split second minute repeating hunter cased keyless lever pocket watch with cover winding system in rosewood presentation case with Royal Provenance Haas and Cie, Geneva A fine and rare late 19th century 18ct rose gold split second minute repeating hunter cased keyless lever pocket watch with cover winding system in rosewood presentation case with Royal Provenance Haas and Cie, Geneva, the fine jewelled movement with polished steel chronograph work, cut and compensated bimetallic balance, fine white enamel dial with Arabic numerals, outer seconds scales marked from 0-300 and 0-60, sunken subsidiary dial for running seconds and the other signed Mon.B.Haas Jeune, Geneve. gold pierced hands, the heavy polished case with patented winding mechanism operated by closing the front cover which transmits the power to two small levers to a ratchet wheel on the barrel arbor, inner cuvette inscribed 'Prince Francois de Hatzfeldt-Wildenburg 1887' outer case with Monogramme and Hatzfeld family crest, the case with slide repeat in the band striking on two polished gongs and two split second push buttons, together with Hass & Cie fitted rosewood box 59mm.

On the 2nd of December 1873 Benjamin Haas patented a winding mechanism under patent No.3945. His idea was to utilize the energy made when closing the cover, to wind the watch. The initial idea was then improved, so that the mechanism could achieve a 36-hour power reserve, by only twelve closings. To achieve this, Haas made some changes one being the going train. He found by adding an additional wheel, this gave him three hours winding by a single closing. He also designed a safety device disengaging the mechanism when fully wound, which prevented damage to the outside cover.

Prince Francois von Hatzfeldt-Wildenburg, was born in Marxheim, Germany on the 15th of June 1853. He married Clara Elizabeth Prentice who was born in Sacramento, in 1860 she was a niece of the first Mrs. C.P. Huntington, and was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Huntington of the rail road fame. They set up home in London and were often seen at society functions. Prince Francois was a keen horse racing enthusiast and owned the 1906 Grand National Winner 'Ascetic's Silver', it is quite possible to time this historic victory. "

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