Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 515 unique: Today, we’re thrilled to showcase this sumptuous watch that was originally manufactured by the Elgin National Watch Company in 1923 — the Chicago 515. This watch features truly stunning details with its single-sunk, light-gold-colored dial and blued-steel solid diamond kite watch hands. You can also see the dial’s stylish black numerals, a matching subdial, and a rich gold-colored center design that makes the piece look all the more sophisticated and eye-catching. We encased this remarkable pocket watch with our robust, glimmering Gilded Titanium case and topped it off with a nickel-plated crown. On the back, you can view the watch’s antique 345-grade open-face movement with a Quick train, Moseley regulator, Breguet hairspring, and Going barrel. The watch’s rear side also boasts 17 screw-set ruby and sapphire jewels within its ¾ plate, as well as gold-plated gears. We made the final product even more special by equipping it with our elegant and comfortable Moss leather watch strap.The Elgin National Watch Company initially produced this exceptional pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1923 — the same year that U.S. President Warren Harding began his “Voyage of Understanding” tour. Harding and over sixty others traveled across the United States in a private Pullman train car. The trip was intended to connect with voters and the American public in more remote regions. During this trip, Harding became the first sitting president to visit Alaska and Canada. Unfortunately, the trip took a toll on Harding’s health. The party stopped in San Francisco on August 2, 1923 in order to make plans to return to Washington D.C., but Harding suffered a fatal heart attack while staying in the Palace Hotel, leaving the presidency to Vice President Calvin Coolidge.
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.
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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: Machined Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Nickel Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 25557688
- Manufacture Year: 1923
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
The Elgin National Watch Company initially produced this exceptional pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1923 — the same year that U.S. President Warren Harding began his “Voyage of Understanding” tour. Harding and over sixty others traveled across the United States in a private Pullman train car. The trip was intended to connect with voters and the American public in more remote regions. During this trip, Harding became the first sitting president to visit Alaska and Canada. Unfortunately, the trip took a toll on Harding’s health. The party stopped in San Francisco on August 2, 1923 in order to make plans to return to Washington D.C., but Harding suffered a fatal heart attack while staying in the Palace Hotel, leaving the presidency to Vice President Calvin Coolidge.
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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.
