Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 010 unique: We are very excited to once again release our highly anticipated 16-size watches, in our brand new Version III machined titanium case. It has been a little over two years since we put production on hold for our 16-size watches and we can proudly announce that they are back! We decided that it was important to rethink our design and re-engineer our cases completely for a better system of building watches. This watch comes in at 49mm, as opposed to the 47mm 12-size watches that we have primarily been releasing. The main changes that we made to the case is the way that the watch sits inside, with each and every case specifically manufactured to fit that exact movement perfectly without using any inserts or extra parts that require manipulation and fine-tuning. This watch represents the classic styling of Elgin, with this incredibly bright and clean enamel dial, nice bold numerals, and small red minute indicators around the outside. The spade hands have been blued to stand out, completing this beautiful design. Our brand new crown style sits on top, with nickel-plated hardware to match and a dark black leather strap. As we peer inside the open-back case to take a closer look at the movement, right away we can see a slightly different look that was used on this larger model. The three-finger bridge design stands out and we love the visual balance of this bridge that allows for a better view of the gold-plated gears beneath. 17 screw set jewels are placed carefully and secured with stainless steel hardware that pairs well with the reflective patterns that have been machined into the different bridge plates. This watch was originally produced by the Elgin National Watch Company in Elgin, Illinois in 1917, a bitter year for both America and the world. Due to the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare by the Germans and the discovery of the Zimmerman Telegram, the United States of America was drawn fully into the European conflict, making it truly a world war. However, there were some benefits of joining the conflict, with wages nearly doubling, stimulating the American economy. Before the great war, America had been a debtor country, and the economic capital of the world was London. After 1918, it shifted to New York, and the United States emerged from the war a net creditor.
Movement Manufacturer Information
The movement inside of this watch was made by Elgin Watch Company. We call this model "The Chicago" because of the company's proximity to the city.
Also known as Elgin National Watch Company, Elgin wasn't only the largest watch manufacturer in the United States, but the largest watch manufacturer in the world for almost 100 years, operating from 1864-1964. The company often used a depiction of father time on advertisements. At one point, the company was making 7,500 watch movements per week and had 2,300 employees. The factory was demolished in 1966 and replaced with a shopping center.
Legal Disclaimer: All product and company names, logos, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within Vortic's products and services are the property of their respective intellectual property rights holders, if any. Those intellectual property rights holders, other than Vortic, LLC, are not affiliated with Vortic, LLC, our products, or our website. They do not sponsor or endorse our materials.
Watch Specifications
- Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Diameter: 49mm
- Case Material: Machined Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Nickel Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 19252380
- Manufacture Year: 1917
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Chicago 010 unique: We are very excited to once again release our highly anticipated 16-size watches, in our brand new Version III machined titanium case. It has been a little over two years since we put production on hold for our 16-size watches and we can proudly announce that they are back! We decided that it was important to rethink our design and re-engineer our cases completely for a better system of building watches. This watch comes in at 49mm, as opposed to the 47mm 12-size watches that we have primarily been releasing. The main changes that we made to the case is the way that the watch sits inside, with each and every case specifically manufactured to fit that exact movement perfectly without using any inserts or extra parts that require manipulation and fine-tuning. This watch represents the classic styling of Elgin, with this incredibly bright and clean enamel dial, nice bold numerals, and small red minute indicators around the outside. The spade hands have been blued to stand out, completing this beautiful design. Our brand new crown style sits on top, with nickel-plated hardware to match and a dark black leather strap. As we peer inside the open-back case to take a closer look at the movement, right away we can see a slightly different look that was used on this larger model. The three-finger bridge design stands out and we love the visual balance of this bridge that allows for a better view of the gold-plated gears beneath. 17 screw set jewels are placed carefully and secured with stainless steel hardware that pairs well with the reflective patterns that have been machined into the different bridge plates. This watch was originally produced by the Elgin National Watch Company in Elgin, Illinois in 1917, a bitter year for both America and the world. Due to the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare by the Germans and the discovery of the Zimmerman Telegram, the United States of America was drawn fully into the European conflict, making it truly a world war. However, there were some benefits of joining the conflict, with wages nearly doubling, stimulating the American economy. Before the great war, America had been a debtor country, and the economic capital of the world was London. After 1918, it shifted to New York, and the United States emerged from the war a net creditor.
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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.
