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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch

B. H. J. Co. 18 ct. Pink Gold Minute Repeating Astronomical Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This B. H. J. Co. (Bernard Haas Jeune Cie) pocket watch is a keyless minute repeating timepiece featuring a perpetual calendar and moon phase indication. Dating to circa 1900 and manufactured in Switzerland, the watch is encased in an 18 ct. pink gold "bassine et filets" style hunting case. The white enamel dial displays Roman numerals with an outer gilt Arabic minute ring and houses multiple subsidiary dials for the days of the week, months with a leap year cycle, dates, and seconds incorporating a moon phase aperture. The movement, a 19-ligne caliber, is nickel-plated with "fausses côtes" decoration and includes 32 jewels. It utilizes a counterpoised adjustable straight line lever escapement, a cut bimetallic balance, and a blued steel Breguet balance spring. The repeating mechanism operates on gongs, activated by a slide in the case band. The case bears the Haas trademark.

The obverse of the 18 ct. pink gold hunting cased pocket watch with open cover showing the enamel dial and astronomical indicators.
The obverse of the 18 ct. pink gold hunting cased pocket watch with open cover showing the enamel dial and astronomical indicators. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
B. H. J. Co. (Bernard Haas Jeune Cie)
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
477
Source-reported date
circa 1900
Source-reported place
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial

The timepiece is housed in a polished, four-body 18 ct. pink gold hunting case designed in the "bassine et filets" style. The watch is keyless, with the repeating slide mechanism integrated into the case band. A gold cuvette is present within the hunting case.

The dial is constructed of white enamel and features Roman numerals for the hours, complemented by an outer gilt Arabic minute track. Astronomical and calendar information is presented via subsidiary dials. These displays include the days of the week, the months integrated with a leap year cycle, and the dates combined with the seconds and a moon phase aperture. The watch is equipped with gold spade hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “Four body, "bassine et filets", polished.”
  • “White enamel with Roman numerals, outer gilt Arabic minute ring, subsidiary dial for week days, the months with inner leap year cycle, the dates and the seconds with inner moon phase aperture.”
  • “Gold " spade" hands.”

Movement and Escapement

The 19-ligne movement is nickel-plated and finished with "fausses côtes" decoration. It bears the Geneva quality mark and contains 32 jewels. The watch includes a repeating function that sounds on gongs.

The mechanical regulation is achieved through a counterpoised adjustable straight line lever escapement. The balance system comprises a cut bimetallic balance paired with a blued steel Breguet balance spring.

Evidence for this section
  • “19?, nickel plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, bearing the Geneva quality mark, 32 Jewels”
  • “counterpoised adjustable straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring.”
  • “Repeating on gongs, th slide in the band.”

Signatures and Condition

The movement is identified by the B. H. J. Co. (Bernard Haas Jeune Cie) signature, with the Haas trademark also struck upon the case. The watch is reported to be in good condition overall, though the auction description identifies specific wear to the dial.

The dial displays hair cracks as reported in the auction documentation. The watch originates from Switzerland and is dated to approximately 1900.

Evidence for this section
  • “Haas trade mark on the case.”
  • “(hair cracks).”
  • “In good condition.”

Open research questions

  • Does the movement number, if present, correspond to a known production range for Haas?
  • Does the Geneva quality mark allow for a more precise verification of the manufacturing date within the circa 1900 window?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for B. H. J. Co. 18 ct. Pink Gold Minute Repeating Astronomical Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerB. H. J. Co. (Bernard Haas Jeune Cie)“B. H. J. Co. (Bernard Haas Jeune Cie)”
Material18 ct. pink gold“18 ct. pink gold”
Case StyleBassine et filets“Four body, "bassine et filets", polished.”
DialWhite enamel“White enamel with Roman numerals”
Movement decorationFausses côtes“nickel plated, "fausses côtes" decoration”
Jewels32“32 Jewels”
Diameter56 mm“Diam. 56 mm.”

Visible details

  • Hunting case construction
  • Visible moon phase aperture at the 6 o'clock position
  • Crown-wind keyless mechanism
  • Gold spade-style hands

Research qualifications

  • The auction description notes hair cracks on the enamel dial
  • The 19-ligne movement specification relies on the auction description

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

B. H. J. Co. (Bernard Haas Jeune Cie), Swiss, circa 1900. Fine 18 ct. pink gold hunting cased, keyless minute repeating, moon phase, astronomical watch with perpetual calendar.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 3d649219d1

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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