Early 20th Century Gold-Filled Hunter Case Pocket Watch with Personalized Engraving

This is a vintage hunter-case pocket watch dating from the early 1900s, featuring a gold-toned circular case likely made of gold-filled metal or brass. The exterior case body displays elaborate Art Nouveau-style floral and foliate engravings that encircle a central polished cartouche. Inside this cartouche, the name 'Alta' is professionally engraved in a decorative cursive script. The watch case measures approximately 35-45mm in diameter, suggesting it may be a ladies' pendant watch or a smaller gents' size. It features a top-mounted crown and circular bow attached to a fine-link metallic chain of matching color. The craftsmanship shows intricate hand or machine-turned engraving typical of the Victorian and Edwardian transition period. Regarding condition, the metal shows a warm aged patina with visible surface wear, minor scratches, and some darkening in the deeper recesses of the engravings. There appears to be slight thinning of the gold plating on high-contact points, revealing the base metal underneath. The hinge on the side of the hunting case appears intact, holding the cover in place to protect the interior crystal and dial. This piece serves as a characteristic example of personal portable horology from the turn of the century.