The Lancaster 171 (46mm)

The Lancaster 171 (46mm)

The Lancaster 171 (46mm)
The Lancaster 171 (46mm)
The Lancaster 171 (46mm)
The Lancaster 171 (46mm)
The Lancaster 171 (46mm)
The Lancaster 171 (46mm)
The Lancaster 171 (46mm)
The Lancaster 171 (46mm)
The Lancaster 171 (46mm)
The Lancaster 171 (46mm)

Watch Description

The American mechanism inside this watch is not a replica or an "inspired" piece. It was genuinely carried by an individual, 100 years ago, that depended on it. Each time you wear this watch, you will be transported through time, imagining who this individual was and the work they did to help build our country. Simply put, American Artisan Series watches make you feel something when you put them on. At Vortic, we tell customers that owning a watch isn't nearly as important as owning a story. And, this is an opportunity to be a part of a story that is bigger than yourself. You won't be the first to own this watch, and you certainly won't be the last, so make your chapter count.

The American Artisan Series is a line of fully American Made wristwatches powered by restored, U.S. made pocket watch movements. Individuals commonly scrap pocket watch cases for their precious metal, leaving the original mechanism orphaned. This watch contains the original movement (timepiece), dial (face), and hands from a vintage (1880's - 1950's) pocket watch made by Hamilton Watch Company. We call this model "The Lancaster" because the company was located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

What makes the Lancaster 171 unique: Today, we’re thrilled to showcase this splendid piece of American manufacturing that was initially produced by the Hamilton Watch Company in 1928 — the Lancaster 171. This antique watch features aged numerals and a floral center pattern that look stunning against its light-copper-colored background. The front of the watch also features a useful subdial as well as blued steel solid diamond kite watch hands, with an especially distinct minute hand that slightly protrudes beyond the watch’s minute markings. We matched this beautiful pocket watch with our glimmering, Machined Titanium case, drawing further attention to its gorgeous copper-colored dial, and we equipped it with a fitting copper crown. Our Machined Titanium case comes with a transparent back, enabling you to view its antique 912-grade open-face movement with a Reed regulator, ¾ plate, and vivid black inlay colors indicating the watch’s impressive heritage. The movement features the markings “Hamilton Watch Co.,” “Lancaster, PA.,” “912,” and other impressive engravings corroborating the piece’s authenticity. Finally, the movement features robust gold-plated gears and 17 screw-set jewels. We made this stunning antique watch wearable with our hand-crafted and comfortable Natural leather watch strap, complementing the crown and dial’s copper coloring.

The Hamilton Watch Company initially distributed the Lancaster 171’s pocket watch in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1928 — the same year that innovative American artist Andy Warhol was born. Warhol was known for his groundbreaking visual art style, known as pop art, that often combined original artistic expressions with advertisements and celebrity iconography. His most famous pieces include Campbell’s Soup Cans and Marilyn Diptych. In addition to being a groundbreaking visual artist, Warhol also made fascinating contributions to cinema and popular culture with his films Empire and Chelsea Girls. He’s also known for being openly gay during a time before the gay liberation movement of the late 1960s. Warhol passed away in 1987 from cardiac arrhythmia.

Case Style:This case has been CNC milled from a solid block of aerospace grade titanium. The case is intentionally left unpolished so the intricate tool marks made during the milling process remain visible. Titanium is the ultimate material for strength to weight ratio. Titanium has a darker look than steel, and due to its low thermal conductivity, feels warm to the touch. These characteristics create an enduring, highly wearable, distinctive piece.

Movement: The manually wound, antique, pocket watch movement inside this watch has been meticulously restored to as close to original condition as possible. Vortic has an exclusive group of highly experienced watchmakers that specialize in vintage watches. Before its use in a wristwatch, each movement is completely disassembled, cleaned, oiled, and calibrated. Each finished Vortic watch is tested for at least a week before completion.

This watch's movement is serial number 3294042 from the Hamilton Watch Company. Hamilton is named after famous Pennsylvanian Alexander Hamilton and is the result of multiple re-organizations of attempted watch companies in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1892, Hamilton had a reputation for superior quality and maintained half of the railroad watch market share during some of the most prolific years of American railroad history. During World War II, Hamilton was integral to the production of accurate timepieces for the Military. Deemed "the watch that won the war," the company established an employee-run newsletter so that employees turned soldiers could keep up with life at the factory. While the original factory still stands as luxury apartments, the company stopped producing watches in the US in 1969. Hamilton now produces watches in Switzerland and is owned by the Swatch Group.

Watch Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
  • Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
  • Case Dimensions: 
    • Diameter: 46mm
    • Height: 12mm
    • Lug-to-Lug: 55mm
    • Lugs: 22mm
  • Case Finish: Machined Titanium
  • Crown/Hardware: Copper
  • Water Resistance: 1 ATM
  • Crystals: Gorilla Glass
  • Case Back: Stainless Steel
  • Strap: Leather

Movement

  • Manufacturer: Hamilton Watch Company
  • Serial Number:  3294042
  • Manufacture Year:  1928
  • Function: Manual Wind
  • Jewels: 17j
  • Hands: Original
  • Size: 12s
  • Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
It looks like it would have been right at home on the wrist of Indiana Jones! This watch is a showpiece as much as it is as unique timepiece!
—John from Indiana
After receiving the watch in the mail, I was surprised to see the watch somehow looked better in person than it did in the photos. I didn't think that would be possible!
—Mark from Massachusetts
The skeleton back is amazing and the packaging was perfect. To honor the past with details like this is truly impressive.
—Brad from Florida
I own so called "high end" watches such as Rolex, Panerai, and Zenith but they pale in comparison to my two Vortic models which I wear everyday to work.
—Todd from Ohio
What makes the Lancaster 171 unique: Today, we’re thrilled to showcase this splendid piece of American manufacturing that was initially produced by the Hamilton Watch Company in 1928 — the Lancaster 171. This antique watch features aged numerals and a floral center pattern that look stunning against its light-copper-colored background. The front of the watch also features a useful subdial as well as blued steel solid diamond kite watch hands, with an especially distinct minute hand that slightly protrudes beyond the watch’s minute markings. We matched this beautiful pocket watch with our glimmering, Machined Titanium case, drawing further attention to its gorgeous copper-colored dial, and we equipped it with a fitting copper crown. Our Machined Titanium case comes with a transparent back, enabling you to view its antique 912-grade open-face movement with a Reed regulator, ¾ plate, and vivid black inlay colors indicating the watch’s impressive heritage. The movement features the markings “Hamilton Watch Co.,” “Lancaster, PA.,” “912,” and other impressive engravings corroborating the piece’s authenticity. Finally, the movement features robust gold-plated gears and 17 screw-set jewels. We made this stunning antique watch wearable with our hand-crafted and comfortable Natural leather watch strap, complementing the crown and dial’s copper coloring.

The Hamilton Watch Company initially distributed the Lancaster 171’s pocket watch in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1928 — the same year that innovative American artist Andy Warhol was born. Warhol was known for his groundbreaking visual art style, known as pop art, that often combined original artistic expressions with advertisements and celebrity iconography. His most famous pieces include Campbell’s Soup Cans and Marilyn Diptych. In addition to being a groundbreaking visual artist, Warhol also made fascinating contributions to cinema and popular culture with his films Empire and Chelsea Girls. He’s also known for being openly gay during a time before the gay liberation movement of the late 1960s. Warhol passed away in 1987 from cardiac arrhythmia.

Quality Straps

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Mission

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American Made

Learn More About The American Artisan Series

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