Swiss 18K yellow gold full hunter pocket watch Circa 1900

Gold hunting cased keyless lever watch
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A fine Swiss 18 carat yellow gold full hunter pocket watch made by H. Thiebau in Fleurier, circa 1900. It has a mechanical crown winding movement with a lever escapement, signed and numbered on the movement. The multitextured silvered dial features black Roman numerals for the hours, a fine outer minute track with small dots, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, and blued steel pear shaped hands. It is beautifully decorated with an intricately applied gold floral garland centre and a matching golden foliage outer border. The timepiece is housed in a round three body, 18 carat solid yellow gold full hunter case. This case has a spring hinged front cover elaborately engraved with a detailed garland decoration surrounding a central shield cartouche monogrammed VA, a matching engraved reverse back cover, a fluted winding crown, a sturdy round suspension bow, and a smooth, plain, polished 18 carat gold inner protective cuvette.
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Diameter: 54 mm
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Weight: 123 g
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Signed: H. Thiebau Fleurier
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H. Thiebau was an active watchmaker and retailer in the historic watchmaking hub of Fleurier, Switzerland, around 1900. Located in the Val-de-Travers region, Fleurier was internationally renowned for its specialized manufacture of luxury timepieces and intricate precision movements, featuring artistic decoration traditions like fleurisanne engraving. Timepieces signed by H. Thiebau typically showcase the region’s exceptional technical standards, using robust mechanical crown winding movements and high grade lever escapements housed in heavy, elaborately decorated 18 carat gold hunter cases. Rather than making every component from scratch, watchmakers like Thiebau often acted as finishers and master assemblers. They selected exceptional Swiss ébauches (blank movements) and partnered with local artisans to craft opulent, multitextured dials and engraved floral gold garland details for affluent collectors.