Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 468 unique: Today, we're pleased to showcase this stunning and unique piece initially manufactured by the Elgin National Watch Company in 1925 — the Chicago 468. The watch features a highly distinct dial with old-fashioned brown numerals against a light tan background, and the dial also sports a notable, antique center design. The watch sports stunning navy blue minute and hour hands that shine vividly against the dial's rustic colors. We matched the pocket watch with our scratch-resistant Machined Titanium case, and we added a copper-plated crown that further emphasizes the piece's antique style. Our Machined Titanium's rear display case offers a breathtaking look into the watch's internal design, including a 345-grade open-face movement with a nickel finish and pendant setting. You can also view the piece's luxurious and robust gold-plated gears along with its Moseley regulator and Breguet hairspring. Additionally, the watch's ¾ plate boasts 17 ruby and sapphire jewels. We equipped the watch with our comfortable and durable Stone leather watch strap, drawing further attention to the watch's one-of-a-kind dial. The Elgin National Watch Company manufactured this piece in Elgin, Illinois, in 1925 — the same year that the historic Scopes Trial took place in Dayton, Tennessee. Tennessee authorities indicted John Thomas Scopes on May 25, 1925, for breaking Tennessee's Butler Act, which prohibited teaching evolution in public schools. The jury found Scopes guilty on July 21, resulting in a $100 fine, around $1,622 in 2022. Although the case occurred in a small Tennessee town, the Scopes trial received international attention. According to American historian Edward John Larson, twenty-two telegraphers sent out 165,000 words per day reporting on the trial.Movement Manufacturer Information
The movement inside of this watch was made by Elgin Watch Company. We call this model "The Chicago" because of the company's proximity to the city.
Also known as Elgin National Watch Company, Elgin wasn't only the largest watch manufacturer in the United States, but the largest watch manufacturer in the world for almost 100 years, operating from 1864-1964. The company often used a depiction of father time on advertisements. At one point, the company was making 7,500 watch movements per week and had 2,300 employees. The factory was demolished in 1966 and replaced with a shopping center.
Legal Disclaimer: All product and company names, logos, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within Vortic's products and services are the property of their respective intellectual property rights holders, if any. Those intellectual property rights holders, other than Vortic, LLC, are not affiliated with Vortic, LLC, our products, or our website. They do not sponsor or endorse our materials.
Watch Specifications
- Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 47mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 55mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Sandblasted Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Copper
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 27461199
- Manufacture Year: 1925
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
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The Movement
The engine that powers this watch is an antique American pocket watch movement. All the gears and springs that make it tell time are roughly 100 years old on average. We call these watches the American Artisan Series because we're celebrating the history and legacy of the artisan watchmakers who built this engineering marvel a century ago in the United States.
The Story
Today most pocket watches are scrapped for the gold or silver of the case (the outside of the antique timepiece), leaving the inside (what we call the "movement") as trash.
We take pride in upcycling these pieces of American history by salvaging as many as we can, then preserving them inside our wristwatches.
Our expert team of watchmakers restores the antique movement and then we manufacture a custom wristwatch case here in Fort Collins, Colorado.
The Strap
We partnered with Worn & Wound to produce a custom set of straps for our American Artisan Series watches. We now have 15 different colors to choose from including our two Horween Shell Cordovan options. These straps are made in the USA and are based on the Windup Model 2 Premium strap that Worn and Wound offers.
