Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 076 unique:
The dial of this stunning Chicago 076 is a true standout, featuring an elegant “fancy dial” design. The center is finished in a soft, muted green, surrounded by an intricate outer track adorned with gold filigree flourishes and bold black numerals. These dials were once a hallmark of early 20th-century craftsmanship, produced in limited quantities for those seeking a more ornate and luxurious aesthetic. Paired with gold Fleur-de-Lis hands and a sub-seconds dial at six o’clock, this piece carries an undeniable vintage charm.
Inside, the Elgin movement powering this watch is a masterpiece of American horology. This 17-jewel movement from 1916 showcases beautifully intricate damascening, a signature decorative engraving style that enhances the movement’s bridges. The precision-cut gears and deep gold-plated elements add another level of visual appeal, reflecting the detailed artistry of Elgin’s manufacturing at the time.
Encased in our machined steel case, this watch maintains a refined yet rugged presence at 45mm. The smooth machined steel bezel enhances the watch’s elegant design, while the bronze vertical-grooved crown offers a striking contrast. Completing the look is a rich chocolate leather strap, complementing the warm gold tones throughout the piece.
In 1916, Elgin was at the peak of its innovation, helping drive precision watchmaking in the U.S. The same year, the National Park Service was officially established, ensuring the preservation of America’s most treasured landscapes for generations to come. Just as these parks safeguard natural history, this timepiece preserves a legacy of craftsmanship from America’s golden age of watchmaking.
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: 2025
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 45mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 55mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Machined 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: 1896849
- Manufacture Year: 1916
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Chicago 076 unique:
The dial of this stunning Chicago 076 is a true standout, featuring an elegant “fancy dial” design. The center is finished in a soft, muted green, surrounded by an intricate outer track adorned with gold filigree flourishes and bold black numerals. These dials were once a hallmark of early 20th-century craftsmanship, produced in limited quantities for those seeking a more ornate and luxurious aesthetic. Paired with gold Fleur-de-Lis hands and a sub-seconds dial at six o’clock, this piece carries an undeniable vintage charm.
Inside, the Elgin movement powering this watch is a masterpiece of American horology. This 17-jewel movement from 1916 showcases beautifully intricate damascening, a signature decorative engraving style that enhances the movement’s bridges. The precision-cut gears and deep gold-plated elements add another level of visual appeal, reflecting the detailed artistry of Elgin’s manufacturing at the time.
Encased in our machined steel case, this watch maintains a refined yet rugged presence at 45mm. The smooth machined steel bezel enhances the watch’s elegant design, while the bronze vertical-grooved crown offers a striking contrast. Completing the look is a rich chocolate leather strap, complementing the warm gold tones throughout the piece.
In 1916, Elgin was at the peak of its innovation, helping drive precision watchmaking in the U.S. The same year, the National Park Service was officially established, ensuring the preservation of America’s most treasured landscapes for generations to come. Just as these parks safeguard natural history, this timepiece preserves a legacy of craftsmanship from America’s golden age of 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.
