Watch Description
What makes the Boston 051 unique:
The Boston 051 presents a striking example of early 20th-century artistry, centered around a richly patinaed gold dial that has aged with unmistakable character. Its surface is defined by a bold fleur-style engraving radiating from the center, surrounded by angled Art Deco numerals that shimmer in relief against the dial’s textured backdrop. Encircling the display is a crisp ring of minute markers, offering contrast and structure to the ornate design. At 6 o’clock, a matching recessed sub-seconds dial completes the layout with refined balance. Floating above are a pair of rare open heavy spade hands, their intricate shapes both practical and decorative, adding movement and dimension to the golden canvas.
Inside, this watch houses a 17-jewel Waltham movement originally manufactured in 1924. The open caseback reveals the precision of American engineering at its peak—bridgework adorned with intricate engraving, polished steel components, and an elegant “Royal” designation etched proudly across the plate. Every detail reflects Waltham’s dedication to craftsmanship and precision.
The watch is encased in a sandblasted bronze case, paired with an angled bronze bezel and a vertically grooved crown that reinforces its strong presence on the wrist. Completing the build is a cognac leather strap, which provides a warm complement to the dial’s golden tones while grounding the watch in timeless style.
In 1924, the year this movement was built, the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held in New York City. Featuring floats, live bands, and animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo, it quickly became a cherished American tradition that still endures today. Much like the parade, this watch reflects a spirit of celebration, artistry, and enduring legacy from its era.
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: 21300693
- Manufacture Year: 1918
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Boston 051 unique:
The Boston 051 presents a striking example of early 20th-century artistry, centered around a richly patinaed gold dial that has aged with unmistakable character. Its surface is defined by a bold fleur-style engraving radiating from the center, surrounded by angled Art Deco numerals that shimmer in relief against the dial’s textured backdrop. Encircling the display is a crisp ring of minute markers, offering contrast and structure to the ornate design. At 6 o’clock, a matching recessed sub-seconds dial completes the layout with refined balance. Floating above are a pair of rare open heavy spade hands, their intricate shapes both practical and decorative, adding movement and dimension to the golden canvas.
Inside, this watch houses a 17-jewel Waltham movement originally manufactured in 1924. The open caseback reveals the precision of American engineering at its peak—bridgework adorned with intricate engraving, polished steel components, and an elegant “Royal” designation etched proudly across the plate. Every detail reflects Waltham’s dedication to craftsmanship and precision.
The watch is encased in a sandblasted bronze case, paired with an angled bronze bezel and a vertically grooved crown that reinforces its strong presence on the wrist. Completing the build is a cognac leather strap, which provides a warm complement to the dial’s golden tones while grounding the watch in timeless style.
In 1924, the year this movement was built, the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held in New York City. Featuring floats, live bands, and animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo, it quickly became a cherished American tradition that still endures today. Much like the parade, this watch reflects a spirit of celebration, artistry, and enduring legacy from its era.
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.
