The Boston Railroad 004 (49mm)

The Boston Railroad 004 (49mm)

The Boston Railroad 004 (49mm)
The Boston Railroad 004 (49mm)
The Boston Railroad 004 (49mm)
The Boston Railroad 004 (49mm)
The Boston Railroad 004 (49mm)
The Boston Railroad 004 (49mm)
The Boston Railroad 004 (49mm)
The Boston Railroad 004 (49mm)
The Boston Railroad 004 (49mm)
The Boston Railroad 004 (49mm)

Watch Description

The American mechanism inside this watch is not a replica or an "inspired" piece. It was genuinely carried by an individual, 100 years ago, that depended on it. Each time you wear this watch, you will be transported through time, imagining who this individual was and the work they did to help build our country. Simply put, American Artisan Series watches make you feel something when you put them on. At Vortic, we tell customers that owning a watch isn't nearly as important as owning a story. And, this is an opportunity to be a part of a story that is bigger than yourself. You won't be the first to own this watch, and you certainly won't be the last, so make your chapter count.

The American Artisan Series is a line of fully American Made wristwatches powered by restored, U.S. made pocket watch movements. Individuals commonly scrap pocket watch cases for their precious metal, leaving the original mechanism orphaned. This watch contains the original movement (timepiece), dial (face), and hands from a vintage (1880's - 1950's) pocket watch made by Waltham Watch Company. We call this model "The Boston" because of the company's proximity to the city.

Railroad grade pocket watches, also known as Standard watches, were explicitly made for railroad employees. As such, they were the highest quality and most sought after watches of the time. American railroads decided upon a rigorous set of regulations to qualify timepieces as "railroad grade" due to their role in maintaining schedules for the American rail system. Click HERE to learn more about railroad watches.

A defining feature of all railroad grade watches is their setting mechanism. Instead of simply pulling out the crown to put the watch in "setting mode," the original railroad pocket watches required you to remove the front of the watch and actuate a lever to accomplish the same thing. This way, the time on these essential watches was never accidentally changed. Vortic's Railroad Edition of the American Artisan Series features a removable bezel that dramatically improves upon the original design. The Railroad Edition case protects the dial from access while the bezel is removed and is fully water resistant when the bezel is appropriately tightened. Click HERE to learn more about how Vortic's Railroad Edition works.

NOTE - this watch is not water resistant when the bezel is not installed or is installed incorrectly.

What makes the Boston Railroad 004 unique: Today we are proud to introduce our latest Railroad Grade wristwatch conversion, the Boston Railroad 004. This watch is made with a 23 jewel Waltham Watch Company pocket watch inside of a machined titanium case, with a titanium crown, a natural leather strap and gold-plated gears. This stunning timepiece is a perfect combination of classic and modern style, and is sure to turn heads wherever you go. The machined titanium case is strong and lightweight, making it comfortable to wear for any occasion. We love this incredibly clean and elegant enamel dial, with crisp and bold dark numerals that stand out nicely with a very modern feel. The bezel on the front of the case twists off to give you access to the lever beneath that allows you to change the time, a safety mechanism that was required on all Railroad Grade watches to prevent the owner from accidentally changing the time while winding. The titanium crown adds an elegant touch, while the natural leather strap is soft and supple, ensuring a comfortable fit. The gold-plated gears and spectacular jewels add a luxurious finish to the watch, giving it a timeless look. We take pride in creating unique and beautiful timepieces built to last and continue to be passed down to future generations. Whether you’re looking for a statement piece or a classic timepiece, this wristwatch is sure to become a treasured heirloom.

The Waltham National Watch Company originally manufactured this watch in Waltham, Massachusettes in 1918. In this same year, the United States Congress passed the Esch-Cummins Act, which was the first federal law to regulate the railroad industry. This act was a major milestone in the history of manufacturing in the United States, as it allowed the Interstate Commerce Commission to set maximum railroad rates and gave the government power to approve or reject railroad consolidations. The Esch-Cummins Act was named after its primary sponsors, Senator Edwin Esch of Wisconsin and Representative James Cummins of Iowa. Senator Esch was a Republican and Representative Cummins was a Democrat, but they were able to work together to pass this important legislation. The act allowed the government to regulate the railroad industry, which was essential for the development of manufacturing and transportation in the United States. It also helped to ensure that railroads could not take advantage of their customers by charging too much for shipping goods. Today, we commemorate the anniversary of the Esch-Cummins Act, which was a major milestone in the history of manufacturing in the United States.

Case Style:This case has been CNC milled from a solid block of aerospace grade titanium. The case is intentionally left unpolished so the intricate tool marks made during the milling process remain visible. Titanium is the ultimate material for strength to weight ratio. Titanium has a darker look than steel, and due to its low thermal conductivity, feels warm to the touch. These characteristics create an enduring, highly wearable, distinctive piece.

Movement: The manually wound, antique, pocket watch movement inside this watch has been meticulously restored to as close to original condition as possible. Vortic has an exclusive group of highly experienced watchmakers that specialize in vintage watches. Before its use in a wristwatch, each movement is completely disassembled, cleaned, oiled, and calibrated. Each finished Vortic watch is tested for at least a week before completion.

This watch's movement is serial number 27538401 from the Waltham Watch Company. 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.

Watch Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
  • Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
  • Case Dimensions: 
    • Diameter: 51mm
    • Height: 14.5mm
    • Lug-to-Lug: 60mm
    • Lugs: 22mm
  • Case Finish: Machined Titanium
  • Crown/Hardware: Titanium
  • Water Resistance: 1 ATM
  • Crystals: Gorilla Glass
  • Case Back: Stainless Steel
  • Strap: Leather

Movement

  • Manufacturer: Waltham Watch Company
  • Serial Number:  27538401
  • Manufacture Year:  1918
  • Function: Manual Wind, Lever-Set
  • Jewels: 23j
  • Hands: Original
  • Size: Railroad
  • Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
It looks like it would have been right at home on the wrist of Indiana Jones! This watch is a showpiece as much as it is as unique timepiece!
—John from Indiana
After receiving the watch in the mail, I was surprised to see the watch somehow looked better in person than it did in the photos. I didn't think that would be possible!
—Mark from Massachusetts
The skeleton back is amazing and the packaging was perfect. To honor the past with details like this is truly impressive.
—Brad from Florida
I own so called "high end" watches such as Rolex, Panerai, and Zenith but they pale in comparison to my two Vortic models which I wear everyday to work.
—Todd from Ohio
What makes the Boston Railroad 004 unique: Today we are proud to introduce our latest Railroad Grade wristwatch conversion, the Boston Railroad 004. This watch is made with a 23 jewel Waltham Watch Company pocket watch inside of a machined titanium case, with a titanium crown, a natural leather strap and gold-plated gears. This stunning timepiece is a perfect combination of classic and modern style, and is sure to turn heads wherever you go. The machined titanium case is strong and lightweight, making it comfortable to wear for any occasion. We love this incredibly clean and elegant enamel dial, with crisp and bold dark numerals that stand out nicely with a very modern feel. The bezel on the front of the case twists off to give you access to the lever beneath that allows you to change the time, a safety mechanism that was required on all Railroad Grade watches to prevent the owner from accidentally changing the time while winding. The titanium crown adds an elegant touch, while the natural leather strap is soft and supple, ensuring a comfortable fit. The gold-plated gears and spectacular jewels add a luxurious finish to the watch, giving it a timeless look. We take pride in creating unique and beautiful timepieces built to last and continue to be passed down to future generations. Whether you’re looking for a statement piece or a classic timepiece, this wristwatch is sure to become a treasured heirloom.

The Waltham National Watch Company originally manufactured this watch in Waltham, Massachusettes in 1918. In this same year, the United States Congress passed the Esch-Cummins Act, which was the first federal law to regulate the railroad industry. This act was a major milestone in the history of manufacturing in the United States, as it allowed the Interstate Commerce Commission to set maximum railroad rates and gave the government power to approve or reject railroad consolidations. The Esch-Cummins Act was named after its primary sponsors, Senator Edwin Esch of Wisconsin and Representative James Cummins of Iowa. Senator Esch was a Republican and Representative Cummins was a Democrat, but they were able to work together to pass this important legislation. The act allowed the government to regulate the railroad industry, which was essential for the development of manufacturing and transportation in the United States. It also helped to ensure that railroads could not take advantage of their customers by charging too much for shipping goods. Today, we commemorate the anniversary of the Esch-Cummins Act, which was a major milestone in the history of manufacturing in the United States.

Quality Straps

View Strap Options

Mission

Learn More About Vortic
Two men walking side by side through a leather curing facility.

American Made

Learn More About The American Artisan Series

Buy Now, Pay Later withAffirm Logo

0% APR for 6 Months