RARE Illinois Watch Co. Private Label Circa 1913 High Quality Gold Fil - $495 (Irvine)

RARE Illinois Watch Co. Private Label Circa 1913 High Quality Gold Fil 1

RARE Illinois Watch Co. Private Label Circa 1913 High Quality Gold Fil 1 thumbnail

condition: good

make / manufacturer: Illinois Watch Co.

QR Code Link to This Post

RARE Illinois Watch Co., circa 1913, private label The Ernsting Co., size 12s, 15 jewels, high quality gold-filled pocket watch. This antique American pocket watch is a private label Illinois Watch Co. made for The Ernsting Co. in San Diego, California, making it very collectible. There were only 600 of these pocket watches made. The Ernsting Company was San Diego's leading jewelry store, dating back to at least 1907. This open-face pocket watch has a white porcelain dial, large black numerals, spade hands, and a seconds subdial. The movement is pendant set, has a bridge plate, is numbered (see photos 6-8), and is engraved "The Ernsting Co." "San Diego, Cal" "15 Jewels". The case was manufactured by Crescent Watch Case Co.. in approximately 1885 and has a solid gold bow and thumb pieces. This case features an elegant triple cover construction: outer cover, dust cover, and movement cover, all finely crafted. The back outer cover displays beautiful ribbon font initials engraved "EDS". The dust cover is engraved "C. W. C. Co." "Trade Mark (star and crescent moon)" "(serial number: photo 9)" on one side and "Warranted" "Crescent" "25 Years" "(serial number: photo 5)" on the other side. Typical gold-filled cases read "Guaranteed 20 Years" which means this case is a higher grade gold-filled case of a higher quality, with a more substantial gold layer than cases with shorter guarantees. This pocket watch is in excellent conditon overall. The bow is tight, the decorative crown shows no wear, and the crystal is in excellent condition. Weight is approximately 2.25 ounces (gross weight of assembled watch), diameter of dial is approximately 1.50", diameter of case frame is approximately 1.75", and the watch case height, inclusive of the bow, is approximately 2.625". Fully serviced. The movement is running at time of evaluation; future state not guaranteed..
From the San Diego History Center:
Photo #10 - Date: 1923. View looking north from E Street on 5th Avenue in Downtown San Diego. Ernsting Jewelers is seen on right (east) side of street.
Photo #11 - Date: 1919. Image of advertisement at Ernsting Company Jewelers on 5th Avenue between E Street and F Street. Advertisement is showing costs for different engraving lettering.
Photo #12 - Date: 1919. Image of interior of Ernsting Company Jewelers on 5th Avenue between E Street and F Street. View shows jewelry counters and display cases.

post id: 7891846240

posted: 2025-10-28 12:29

updated: 2026-02-15 11:24

♥ best of ^[?]

reading

writing

saving

searching

refresh the page.