Watch Description
What makes the Boston 043 unique:
The Boston 043 is a stunning display of early 20th-century design—where geometric boldness and ornamental engraving meet in perfect harmony. The dial features a golden patina that has aged with character, framed by a striking octagonal outline that enhances its vintage Art Deco numerals. At the center, intricate engraving forms an almost tribal motif, adding visual depth and texture. There’s visible wear to the numerals that gives the piece a lived-in authenticity, while heat-blued diamond kite-style hands sweep confidently over the surface, offering crisp contrast and period-correct charm. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock completes the composition with concentric precision.
Inside, this watch is powered by a 17-jewel Waltham movement from 1926, beautifully preserved and visible through the exhibition caseback. The bridge plate features intertwining scroll engravings that feel almost architectural in detail—an exquisite showcase of early American horological craftsmanship. Bright polished gears and deep ruby jewel settings provide functional brilliance against the textured backdrop.
We encased this piece in a 45mm machined stainless steel case with a sandblasted coin-edge bezel—subtle in finish but strong in presence. A knurled, machined-steel crown completes the silhouette with tactile grip, while a black Horween leather strap with contrast stitching ties the look together in timeless fashion.
In 1926, the year this movement was originally produced, Route 66 was officially established—connecting Chicago to Los Angeles and paving the way for coast-to-coast exploration in the automobile age. It was a year of new frontiers, just like this timepiece bridges eras through American ingenuity.
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: Machined Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Waltham Watch Company
- Serial Number: 25909743
- Manufacture Year: 1926
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Boston 043 unique:
The Boston 043 is a stunning display of early 20th-century design—where geometric boldness and ornamental engraving meet in perfect harmony. The dial features a golden patina that has aged with character, framed by a striking octagonal outline that enhances its vintage Art Deco numerals. At the center, intricate engraving forms an almost tribal motif, adding visual depth and texture. There’s visible wear to the numerals that gives the piece a lived-in authenticity, while heat-blued diamond kite-style hands sweep confidently over the surface, offering crisp contrast and period-correct charm. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock completes the composition with concentric precision.
Inside, this watch is powered by a 17-jewel Waltham movement from 1926, beautifully preserved and visible through the exhibition caseback. The bridge plate features intertwining scroll engravings that feel almost architectural in detail—an exquisite showcase of early American horological craftsmanship. Bright polished gears and deep ruby jewel settings provide functional brilliance against the textured backdrop.
We encased this piece in a 45mm machined stainless steel case with a sandblasted coin-edge bezel—subtle in finish but strong in presence. A knurled, machined-steel crown completes the silhouette with tactile grip, while a black Horween leather strap with contrast stitching ties the look together in timeless fashion.
In 1926, the year this movement was originally produced, Route 66 was officially established—connecting Chicago to Los Angeles and paving the way for coast-to-coast exploration in the automobile age. It was a year of new frontiers, just like this timepiece bridges eras through American ingenuity.
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.
