Watch Description
What makes the Boston 046 unique:
The Boston 046 invites you into a story told in texture, contrast, and timeworn character. Its dial, once pristine, now bears the graceful imprint of age—patina settling into every groove and numeral. The aged parchment tone of the surface is accented by a striking geometric centerpiece, where a diamond-patterned guilloché texture meets outward-radiating rays, adding dynamic movement and visual intrigue. Around this richly detailed core, a set of slightly angled black numerals creates a feeling of forward motion, while crisp minute markers form a balanced outer ring. Hovering above are blued steel spade and whip hands, offering elegant precision. The recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock maintains clarity and symmetry while revealing its own charming weathering—evidence of a life well lived.
Inside, this piece houses a 17-jewel Waltham movement manufactured in 1922. The open-face configuration showcases classic American watchmaking from a prolific production era. This movement is especially striking thanks to its detailed engravings—finely rendered and beautifully preserved—shining clearly through the open caseback. The floral etching across the bridge and the gleaming dual mainspring barrels create a fascinating juxtaposition with the aged dial, reminding us of the internal craftsmanship hidden behind every historical piece.
We housed this movement in a machined titanium case, finished with a smooth machined titanium bezel and a sandblasted knurled crown that offers both grip and visual balance. The warm tobacco-toned leather strap adds to the overall harmony, bringing out the bronze undertones of the dial and anchoring the aesthetic in understated elegance.
In 1922—the year this movement was produced—the American watch industry was flourishing. That same year, Waltham Watch Company helped lead efforts to standardize timekeeping aboard trains as the U.S. railway system expanded. Accurate and durable timepieces like this one were essential for railway safety, and Waltham remained one of the industry leaders in ensuring punctuality across the nation’s railways.
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 Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Waltham Watch Company
- Serial Number: 24243992
- Manufacture Year: 1922
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Boston 046 unique:
The Boston 046 invites you into a story told in texture, contrast, and timeworn character. Its dial, once pristine, now bears the graceful imprint of age—patina settling into every groove and numeral. The aged parchment tone of the surface is accented by a striking geometric centerpiece, where a diamond-patterned guilloché texture meets outward-radiating rays, adding dynamic movement and visual intrigue. Around this richly detailed core, a set of slightly angled black numerals creates a feeling of forward motion, while crisp minute markers form a balanced outer ring. Hovering above are blued steel spade and whip hands, offering elegant precision. The recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock maintains clarity and symmetry while revealing its own charming weathering—evidence of a life well lived.
Inside, this piece houses a 17-jewel Waltham movement manufactured in 1922. The open-face configuration showcases classic American watchmaking from a prolific production era. This movement is especially striking thanks to its detailed engravings—finely rendered and beautifully preserved—shining clearly through the open caseback. The floral etching across the bridge and the gleaming dual mainspring barrels create a fascinating juxtaposition with the aged dial, reminding us of the internal craftsmanship hidden behind every historical piece.
We housed this movement in a machined titanium case, finished with a smooth machined titanium bezel and a sandblasted knurled crown that offers both grip and visual balance. The warm tobacco-toned leather strap adds to the overall harmony, bringing out the bronze undertones of the dial and anchoring the aesthetic in understated elegance.
In 1922—the year this movement was produced—the American watch industry was flourishing. That same year, Waltham Watch Company helped lead efforts to standardize timekeeping aboard trains as the U.S. railway system expanded. Accurate and durable timepieces like this one were essential for railway safety, and Waltham remained one of the industry leaders in ensuring punctuality across the nation’s railways.
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.
