Belgian 18K yellow gold full hunter pocket watch Circa 1910

Gold full hunter lever watch
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A Belgian 18 carat yellow gold hunting cased dress pocket watch, made by J. Missiaen in Brussels, circa 1910. This pocket watch features a mechanical hand wound movement equipped with a lever escapement and a crown winding system, preserved in functional working order. The white enamel dial features black Breguet style Arabic numeral hour markers, an outer minute track represented by delicate golden dots, and a sunken subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o’clock position, paired with highly ornate original gilt mousquetaire style hands.
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The 18 carat yellow gold case is designed as a three body full hunter structure, featuring a closed front cover hand chased with large, interlocking Art Nouveau style monogram initials AB decorated with detailed internal scrollwork and shading on a smooth, polished gold surface. The case features a clean edge profile, a reeded caseband, and a matching deeply fluted winding crown topped with a prominent oval bow ring at 12 o’clock. The interior houses a solid 18 carat yellow gold dust cover protecting the movement, officially stamped with the serial number. The timepiece is accompanied by a protective leather storage pouch.
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Diameter: 48.5 mm
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Weight: 72.3 g
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Signed: J. Missiaen, Bruxelles
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Missiaen was a renowned Belgian master watchmaker, jeweller, and goldsmith active in Brussels during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, near the Belle Époque. He was a respected figure in the Belgian horological guild and president of the official watch retailers’ association. He operated a successful luxury boutique serving Brussels’ wealthy upper class and had distribution ties with Antwerp. His firm, a high end Établisseur, sourced Swiss movements like Vulcain and customised them locally. Missiaen specialised in exquisite 18 karat gold cases and luxurious dials signed J. Missiaen, Bruxelles. These were known for fine craftsmanship, artistic details, elaborate gold toned mousquetaire hands, and inlaid golden dots. Surviving watches are highly collectable and symbolise Belgian luxury and fine horology from that era.