Watch Description
What makes the Boston 056 unique:
The Boston 056 features a crisp white dial that feels timeless in its simplicity, yet reveals subtle character the closer you look. Its bold, pointed Arabic numerals—short, slightly squat, and full of vintage charm—define the aesthetic and show just a touch of wear from more than a century of use. A clean ring of minute markers shapes the layout, while the recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock introduces a fine circular texture that stands out against the smooth enamel surface. We preserved the original heat-blued moon hands, whose graceful curves and deep blue tones offer a rich contrast against the bright dial.
Inside, this watch is powered by a 19-jewel Waltham Riverside movement manufactured in 1918. The “Riverside” designation identified one of Waltham’s higher-grade offerings, built with elevated finishing, tighter tolerances, and an extra focus on durability. Through the open caseback, ornate hand-engraved scrollwork decorates the bridges, paired with polished components and jewel settings that catch the light beautifully. It’s a movement that blends engineering precision with the decorative artistry that set American watchmaking apart during this era.
We encased this historic mechanism in our sandblasted bronze case, a material that slowly develops its own patina, ensuring the watch becomes even more personal as it’s worn. The notched bronze bezel frames the dial with distinctive texture, and the knurled bronze crown offers both visual balance and a satisfying grip. Completing the watch is a rye-toned American-made leather strap that warms the overall look and grounds the piece in a classic, understated style.
In 1918, as World War I approached its end, the United States dramatically expanded its industrial capabilities. American factories—including Waltham’s—were producing precision instruments at unprecedented scale, driving innovation in engineering and manufacturing. This movement, built in that transformative year, represents the momentum and craftsmanship that shaped early American watchmaking.
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: 22049938
- Manufacture Year: 1918
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 19 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Boston 056 unique:
The Boston 056 features a crisp white dial that feels timeless in its simplicity, yet reveals subtle character the closer you look. Its bold, pointed Arabic numerals—short, slightly squat, and full of vintage charm—define the aesthetic and show just a touch of wear from more than a century of use. A clean ring of minute markers shapes the layout, while the recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock introduces a fine circular texture that stands out against the smooth enamel surface. We preserved the original heat-blued moon hands, whose graceful curves and deep blue tones offer a rich contrast against the bright dial.
Inside, this watch is powered by a 19-jewel Waltham Riverside movement manufactured in 1918. The “Riverside” designation identified one of Waltham’s higher-grade offerings, built with elevated finishing, tighter tolerances, and an extra focus on durability. Through the open caseback, ornate hand-engraved scrollwork decorates the bridges, paired with polished components and jewel settings that catch the light beautifully. It’s a movement that blends engineering precision with the decorative artistry that set American watchmaking apart during this era.
We encased this historic mechanism in our sandblasted bronze case, a material that slowly develops its own patina, ensuring the watch becomes even more personal as it’s worn. The notched bronze bezel frames the dial with distinctive texture, and the knurled bronze crown offers both visual balance and a satisfying grip. Completing the watch is a rye-toned American-made leather strap that warms the overall look and grounds the piece in a classic, understated style.
In 1918, as World War I approached its end, the United States dramatically expanded its industrial capabilities. American factories—including Waltham’s—were producing precision instruments at unprecedented scale, driving innovation in engineering and manufacturing. This movement, built in that transformative year, represents the momentum and craftsmanship that shaped early American watchmaking.
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.
