Watch Description
What makes the Boston 038 unique:
The Boston 038 is a celebration of rich engraving, warm tones, and American watchmaking heritage. Its gold-toned dial is beautifully adorned with an elaborate, fan-shaped centerpiece surrounded by fine floral details—an artistic focal point that draws the eye. Applied gold numerals add depth, while the recessed sub-seconds dial and blued steel moon hands introduce contrast, giving the entire dial a layered, sculptural feel.
At its core is a 17-jewel movement produced by the Waltham Watch Company in 1921. The movement plates feature intricate decorative engravings that mirror the motifs on the dial, creating a remarkable continuity between form and function. Gold-plated gears and dark jewel settings complete the visual harmony, reinforcing the sense of craftsmanship that defined early 20th-century American horology.
We preserved this piece of history in a sandblasted bronze case, accented with a finely polished, vertically grooved bronze crown and a smooth bronze bezel. The case’s matte finish enhances the warmth of the gold dial, while the deep oxblood leather strap adds a refined contrast—subtle yet substantial, just like the watch itself.
In 1921, the first White Castle restaurant opened in Wichita, Kansas, marking the beginning of the American fast-food industry. As quick service transformed how the nation ate, Waltham was helping shape how it kept time. The Boston 038 is a golden echo of that innovative era, embodying the ingenuity and ambition of American manufacturing at its peak.
Movement Manufacturer Information
The movement inside of this watch was made by Waltham Watch Company. We call this model "The Boston" because of the company's proximity to the city.
Also known as American Watch Company and American Waltham Watch Company, Waltham was one of the leaders in attempting an entirely new concept, machines making machines. Prior to this, a watchmaker would hand-make each part of a movement one-at-a-time. Operating from 1851-1957, Waltham called its product the "Scientific Watch." Waltham's innovative, precise machining techniques made parts interchangeable, and their early version of the assembly line made high-quality watches efficient to produce. Legend has it that Henry Ford drew inspiration for his assembly line production from a visit to Waltham's factory. Located on the bank of the Charles River in "Watch City" (Waltham), Massachusetts, the factory has since been converted to apartment lofts.
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Watch Specifications
- Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
- Model Year: 2025
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 45mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 55mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Sandblasted Bronze
- Crown/Hardware: Bronze
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Waltham Watch Company
- Serial Number: 24014992
- Manufacture Year: 1921
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Boston 038 unique:
The Boston 038 is a celebration of rich engraving, warm tones, and American watchmaking heritage. Its gold-toned dial is beautifully adorned with an elaborate, fan-shaped centerpiece surrounded by fine floral details—an artistic focal point that draws the eye. Applied gold numerals add depth, while the recessed sub-seconds dial and blued steel moon hands introduce contrast, giving the entire dial a layered, sculptural feel.
At its core is a 17-jewel movement produced by the Waltham Watch Company in 1921. The movement plates feature intricate decorative engravings that mirror the motifs on the dial, creating a remarkable continuity between form and function. Gold-plated gears and dark jewel settings complete the visual harmony, reinforcing the sense of craftsmanship that defined early 20th-century American horology.
We preserved this piece of history in a sandblasted bronze case, accented with a finely polished, vertically grooved bronze crown and a smooth bronze bezel. The case’s matte finish enhances the warmth of the gold dial, while the deep oxblood leather strap adds a refined contrast—subtle yet substantial, just like the watch itself.
In 1921, the first White Castle restaurant opened in Wichita, Kansas, marking the beginning of the American fast-food industry. As quick service transformed how the nation ate, Waltham was helping shape how it kept time. The Boston 038 is a golden echo of that innovative era, embodying the ingenuity and ambition of American manufacturing at its peak.
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.
