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 Ball Watch Company. We call this model "The Cleveland" because the company was located within the Cleveland city limits.
What makes the Cleveland 044 unique: We’re pleased to present to you this remarkable wristwatch that features an antique pocket watch originally manufactured by the Illinois Watch Company — the Cleveland 044. The Illinois Watch Company constructed this watch for the Ball Watch Company, and its dial features the inscription “Ball” within its sumptuous center design pattern. This gold-colored pattern goes perfectly with the dial’s breathtaking golden gothic hands and dark-gold-colored numerals. These details look especially gorgeous against the watch face’s cream-colored background. We equipped the final product with even more opulent details by ensconcing the antique pocket watch within our Gilded Titanium case and topped it off with a gold-plated crown. On the watch’s rear side, you can see its Commercial-Standard-grade open-face movement with a circular finish pattern, Reed regulator, and Breguet hairspring. The movement also features engravings reading “Ball Watch Co” and “Cleveland, Ohio,” referencing its trade name, and boasts gold-plated gears as well as 19 screw-set jewels throughout its ¾ plate. Finally, we made this gorgeous piece of history wearable with our comfortable and stylish Rye leather watch strap.
The Illinois Watch Company initially released the Cleveland 044’s pocket watch in Springfield, Illinois, in 1926 — the same year that acclaimed American author Harper Lee was born in Monroeville, Alabama. Lee was primarily known for her Pulitzer-winning To Kill a Mockingbird, one of the most important novels in American literature. In addition to her contributions to her literature with To Kill a Mockingbird and its sequel Go Set a Watchman, Lee also helped author Truman Capote conduct research for his landmark true-crime non-fiction book In Cold Blood. In 2007, President George W. Bush awarded Lee with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and in 2010, President Barack Obama bestowed her the National Medal of Arts. Six years later, she passed away in her hometown at age 89.
The Illinois Watch Company initially released the Cleveland 044’s pocket watch in Springfield, Illinois, in 1926 — the same year that acclaimed American author Harper Lee was born in Monroeville, Alabama. Lee was primarily known for her Pulitzer-winning To Kill a Mockingbird, one of the most important novels in American literature. In addition to her contributions to her literature with To Kill a Mockingbird and its sequel Go Set a Watchman, Lee also helped author Truman Capote conduct research for his landmark true-crime non-fiction book In Cold Blood. In 2007, President George W. Bush awarded Lee with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and in 2010, President Barack Obama bestowed her the National Medal of Arts. Six years later, she passed away in her hometown at age 89.
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 B402322 from the Ball Watch Company. Founded by Webb C. Ball in 1891, Ball Watch Company's watches focused on the railroad industry and had a reputation for quality that was second to none. Mr. Ball famously invented and implemented a standard set of watch inspections and requirements to qualify a watch for use on the railroad at a time when timekeeping was paramount to safety. This was known as a "Standard" or "Railroad Grade" watch. The core of the manufacturing for these watches was performed by Hamilton and Waltham Watch Companies, but the adjustment, finishing, and testing performed by Ball set them ahead of the pack. One of the few companies still in existence, Ball now makes watches in Switzerland and is owned by Hong Kong group Asia Commercial Holdings Ltd.
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
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Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 46mm
- Height: 12mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 55mm
- Lugs: 22mm
- Case Finish: Machined Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Gold Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Gorilla Glass
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Ball Watch Company
- Serial Number: B402322
- Manufacture Year: 1926
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 19j
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Cleveland 044 unique: We’re pleased to present to you this remarkable wristwatch that features an antique pocket watch originally manufactured by the Illinois Watch Company — the Cleveland 044. The Illinois Watch Company constructed this watch for the Ball Watch Company, and its dial features the inscription “Ball” within its sumptuous center design pattern. This gold-colored pattern goes perfectly with the dial’s breathtaking golden gothic hands and dark-gold-colored numerals. These details look especially gorgeous against the watch face’s cream-colored background. We equipped the final product with even more opulent details by ensconcing the antique pocket watch within our Gilded Titanium case and topped it off with a gold-plated crown. On the watch’s rear side, you can see its Commercial-Standard-grade open-face movement with a circular finish pattern, Reed regulator, and Breguet hairspring. The movement also features engravings reading “Ball Watch Co” and “Cleveland, Ohio,” referencing its trade name, and boasts gold-plated gears as well as 19 screw-set jewels throughout its ¾ plate. Finally, we made this gorgeous piece of history wearable with our comfortable and stylish Rye leather watch strap.
The Illinois Watch Company initially released the Cleveland 044’s pocket watch in Springfield, Illinois, in 1926 — the same year that acclaimed American author Harper Lee was born in Monroeville, Alabama. Lee was primarily known for her Pulitzer-winning To Kill a Mockingbird, one of the most important novels in American literature. In addition to her contributions to her literature with To Kill a Mockingbird and its sequel Go Set a Watchman, Lee also helped author Truman Capote conduct research for his landmark true-crime non-fiction book In Cold Blood. In 2007, President George W. Bush awarded Lee with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and in 2010, President Barack Obama bestowed her the National Medal of Arts. Six years later, she passed away in her hometown at age 89.
The Illinois Watch Company initially released the Cleveland 044’s pocket watch in Springfield, Illinois, in 1926 — the same year that acclaimed American author Harper Lee was born in Monroeville, Alabama. Lee was primarily known for her Pulitzer-winning To Kill a Mockingbird, one of the most important novels in American literature. In addition to her contributions to her literature with To Kill a Mockingbird and its sequel Go Set a Watchman, Lee also helped author Truman Capote conduct research for his landmark true-crime non-fiction book In Cold Blood. In 2007, President George W. Bush awarded Lee with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and in 2010, President Barack Obama bestowed her the National Medal of Arts. Six years later, she passed away in her hometown at age 89.
Quality Straps
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.
Mission
Our mission is to preserve and enhance the legacy of manufacturing excellence in America. We believe that this legacy is highly relevant in the world of watch manufacturing because our goal is to marry form and function in a way that makes something beautiful that will last forever. American made pocket watches were of such a high quality and decoration that they evolved into more than just a way to tell time. They became traditional heirlooms to be inherited by future generations as a wedding gift or a coming of age treasure. Each piece tells a lively tale of what U.S. manufacturing meant in the past using an intricate language of decorated bridges, plates, gears, and springs. Today, we are restoring these pieces to their former glory and making them relevant again using the best of modern technology.
American Made
We feel proud and blessed to live in the country, state, and city that we do. However, our motivation to build everything in the United States, and to deal locally whenever possible, is derived from a different source of inspiration. We believe that the close relationships, face-to-face interaction, and tight quality control we achieve while dealing domestically produces a truly superior product. Because of this, we are very transparent about where our components are made as we continue to build our in-house capabilities.