Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 508 unique: Today, we’re thrilled to showcase this elegant watch originally manufactured by the Elgin National Watch Company 111 years ago — the Chicago 508. This stylish watch features a light-cream-colored dial with distinct, light-golden numerals and a helpful subdial. The front of the movement also displays blued steel spade & whip watch hands that glimmer vividly against the dial. We encased this stunning pocket watch within our Machined Titanium case and equipped it with a gold-plated crown, matching the dial’s golden numerals. On the back of the watch, you can see the piece’s original 346-grade Hunting movement with a Moseley regulator, Going barrel, nickel finish, and pendant setting. The movement also boasts stunning gold-plated gears and 17 sumptuous jewels throughout its ¾ plate. Finally, we topped the piece off with our hand-crafted and comfortable Cordovan leather watch strap, making this one-of-a-kind watch unforgettable.The Elgin National Watch Company first produced the Chicago 508’s pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1911 — the same year Orville Wright set a world record with his air glider. The Wright Brothers began using gliders in the early 20th century leading up to the Wright Flyer of 1903, which was the first powered aircraft to sustain flight. In 1911, Orville Wright returned to Kill Devil Hills in North Carolina — where they previously flew the Wright Flyer — along with Alec Ogilvie in order to test the glider’s automatic control system. The pair ended up not testing the system because reporters were there, but Orville established an impressive gliding record: He glided in a 40 miles per hour wind for 9 minutes and 45 seconds, a record that would remain until German aerospace engineer Dr. Wolfgang exceeded a 13-minute flight in 1921.
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: Gold Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 15613135
- Manufacture Year: 1911
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
The Elgin National Watch Company first produced the Chicago 508’s pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1911 — the same year Orville Wright set a world record with his air glider. The Wright Brothers began using gliders in the early 20th century leading up to the Wright Flyer of 1903, which was the first powered aircraft to sustain flight. In 1911, Orville Wright returned to Kill Devil Hills in North Carolina — where they previously flew the Wright Flyer — along with Alec Ogilvie in order to test the glider’s automatic control system. The pair ended up not testing the system because reporters were there, but Orville established an impressive gliding record: He glided in a 40 miles per hour wind for 9 minutes and 45 seconds, a record that would remain until German aerospace engineer Dr. Wolfgang exceeded a 13-minute flight in 1921.
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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.
