Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 038 unique: Since its founding in 1911, Chevrolet — formerly the Chevrolet Motor Division of General Motors Company — has built a reputation as one of America's leading automotive manufacturers. Chevy's "bowtie" emblem was first used in 1914 on the H and L Series Models, and though its origin is debated, it has become one of the most recognizable logos in the world. The Chicago 038 features a 1924 Elgin pocket watch adorned with a bright blue Chevy bowtie and was most likely given as a gift with the purchase of a new car. We've converted this piece of automotive history into a 45mm wristwatch with a sandblasted stainless steel case, coin-edged bezel, and blue leather strap to match the logo and the original blued fine spade hands. The owner of this watch can wear it with the pride of knowing that it represents the enduring tradition of quality in American manufacturing.
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
- Model Year: 2023
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 45mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 55mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 26591131
- Manufacture Year: 1924
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Chicago 038 unique: Since its founding in 1911, Chevrolet — formerly the Chevrolet Motor Division of General Motors Company — has built a reputation as one of America's leading automotive manufacturers. Chevy's "bowtie" emblem was first used in 1914 on the H and L Series Models, and though its origin is debated, it has become one of the most recognizable logos in the world. The Chicago 038 features a 1924 Elgin pocket watch adorned with a bright blue Chevy bowtie and was most likely given as a gift with the purchase of a new car. We've converted this piece of automotive history into a 45mm wristwatch with a sandblasted stainless steel case, coin-edged bezel, and blue leather strap to match the logo and the original blued fine spade hands. The owner of this watch can wear it with the pride of knowing that it represents the enduring tradition of quality in American manufacturing.
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.
