RARE Illinois Watch Co. Private Label Circa 1913 Gold Filled Pocket Watch

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 & a seconds subdial. The movement is pendant set, has a bridge plate, is numbered (see photos 6-8) & is engraved "The Ernsting Co." "San Diego, Cal" "15 Jewels". The case was manufactured by Crescent Watch Case Co.. in approximately 1885 & has a solid gold bow and thumb pieces. This case features an elegant triple cover construction: outer cover, dust cover, & 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 & crescent moon)" "(serial number: photo 9)" on one side and "Warranted" "Crescent" "25 Years" on the other side. Typical gold-filled cases read "Guaranteed 20 Years" which means this case is a higher grade gold-filled with a more substantial gold layer than cases with shorter guarantees.. Pocket watch is in excellent conditon overall. Fully serviced. The movement is running at time of evaluation; future state not guaranteed.