Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 482 unique: Today, we’re pleased to present this stunning antique originally manufactured by the Elgin National Watch Company in 1927 — the Chicago 482. This historic pocket watch boasts an eye-catching dial with a rustic tan background and a highly unique center pattern. It also features stylized black numerals and blue-tinted solid diamond kite hands. We encased Elgin’s pocket watch within our scratch-resistant Machined Titanium case and equipped it with a striking copper crown that matches the dial’s distinct color.On the back of the watch, you can view the pocket watch’s 477-grade open-face movement with a Breguet hairspring, Mosley regulator, and going barrel. The piece also contains robust and sumptuous gold-plated gears powered by 17 screw-set ruby and sapphire jewels throughout its ¾ plate. Finally, we complemented the final product by matching it with our comfortable, artisan-designed Rye leather watch strap, making this brilliant, one-of-a-kind timepiece even more special.
The Elgin National Watch Company initially produced the Chicago 482’s pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1927 — the same year Holland Tunnel opened, connecting New Jersey and New York. The tunnel runs under the Hudson River, and before its construction, travelers could only cross the lower Hudson River by using a ferry. The tunnel was the longest underwater vehicular tunnel in the world when it opened, and it was also the world’s first tunnel to be mechanically ventilated. This iconic tunnel was named after Clifford Milburn Holland, the tunnel’s original chief engineer, who died of a heart attack three years before the tunnel’s completion.
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: Machined Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Copper
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 29180734
- Manufacture Year: 1927
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
On the back of the watch, you can view the pocket watch’s 477-grade open-face movement with a Breguet hairspring, Mosley regulator, and going barrel. The piece also contains robust and sumptuous gold-plated gears powered by 17 screw-set ruby and sapphire jewels throughout its ¾ plate. Finally, we complemented the final product by matching it with our comfortable, artisan-designed Rye leather watch strap, making this brilliant, one-of-a-kind timepiece even more special.
The Elgin National Watch Company initially produced the Chicago 482’s pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1927 — the same year Holland Tunnel opened, connecting New Jersey and New York. The tunnel runs under the Hudson River, and before its construction, travelers could only cross the lower Hudson River by using a ferry. The tunnel was the longest underwater vehicular tunnel in the world when it opened, and it was also the world’s first tunnel to be mechanically ventilated. This iconic tunnel was named after Clifford Milburn Holland, the tunnel’s original chief engineer, who died of a heart attack three years before the tunnel’s completion.
Let customers speak for us
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.
