Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 530 unique: We are thrilled to present our latest wristwatch conversion, the Chicago 530. The featured antique pocket watch was originally crafted in 1924 by Elgin Watch Company in Elgin, Illinois and we've taken great care to preserve its original charm while adding a modern twist. The art nouveau numerals are simultaneously contrasted and accented by blued steel hands, and the movement's gold-plated gears catch the eye through the exhibition display back. To highlight the watch's vintage beauty, we designed a bronzed titanium case that perfectly complements its style. The knurled copper crown adds a luxurious touch, making it a true statement piece. We also wanted to ensure that the watch is comfortable to wear, so we paired it with a soft and supple moss leather strap that adds a touch of warmth and natural elegance.The movement highlighted in this watch was originally manufactured in 1924, the same year John Logie Baird successfully conducted the first practical test of television transmission in New York City. Using a mechanical system to transmit images, Baird's innovation paved the way for electronic television transmission. Charles Jenkins and Philo Farnsworth were also working on television technology at the time, and it took four more years for the first television station, WGY-TV, to begin broadcasting in the United States.
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: 26586149
- Manufacture Year: 1924
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
The movement highlighted in this watch was originally manufactured in 1924, the same year John Logie Baird successfully conducted the first practical test of television transmission in New York City. Using a mechanical system to transmit images, Baird's innovation paved the way for electronic television transmission. Charles Jenkins and Philo Farnsworth were also working on television technology at the time, and it took four more years for the first television station, WGY-TV, to begin broadcasting in the United States.
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.
