Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 080 unique:
The Chicago 080 features a remarkably preserved antique dial with a soft ivory tone and just a few subtle spots of natural patina. A smooth, even texture across the surface highlights the elegance of its crisp Arabic numerals, which are printed in a graceful vintage font that feels timeless. A single-sunk sub-seconds dial adds depth to the layout, while classic spade and whip hands in blued steel provide a refined, historically accurate finishing touch.
Inside, this watch houses a 17-jewel movement made by the Elgin National Watch Company in 1919. The movement’s Guilloché-style engravings showcase Elgin’s attention to detail, and the gold-plated gears offer a warm contrast to the cool silver tones of the bridges. It’s a mechanical portrait of early 20th-century American watchmaking at its peak, blending durability with undeniable aesthetic beauty.
We preserved this piece of American horological history in a stonewashed titanium case with a polished stainless steel bezel, offering an elegant contrast in finishes. A knurled machined-steel crown ensures smooth winding, and a rich ebony leather strap completes the look with classic charm and a modern edge.
In 1919, the Elgin National Watch Company was producing nearly two million watches per year—more than any other American manufacturer at the time. That same year, the world saw another manufacturing feat when the first nonstop transatlantic flight was completed by British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown. Like those early pilots, Elgin was pioneering a future where precision, reliability, and engineering led the way.
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: Stonewashed Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 21426368
- Manufacture Year: 1919
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Chicago 080 unique:
The Chicago 080 features a remarkably preserved antique dial with a soft ivory tone and just a few subtle spots of natural patina. A smooth, even texture across the surface highlights the elegance of its crisp Arabic numerals, which are printed in a graceful vintage font that feels timeless. A single-sunk sub-seconds dial adds depth to the layout, while classic spade and whip hands in blued steel provide a refined, historically accurate finishing touch.
Inside, this watch houses a 17-jewel movement made by the Elgin National Watch Company in 1919. The movement’s Guilloché-style engravings showcase Elgin’s attention to detail, and the gold-plated gears offer a warm contrast to the cool silver tones of the bridges. It’s a mechanical portrait of early 20th-century American watchmaking at its peak, blending durability with undeniable aesthetic beauty.
We preserved this piece of American horological history in a stonewashed titanium case with a polished stainless steel bezel, offering an elegant contrast in finishes. A knurled machined-steel crown ensures smooth winding, and a rich ebony leather strap completes the look with classic charm and a modern edge.
In 1919, the Elgin National Watch Company was producing nearly two million watches per year—more than any other American manufacturer at the time. That same year, the world saw another manufacturing feat when the first nonstop transatlantic flight was completed by British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown. Like those early pilots, Elgin was pioneering a future where precision, reliability, and engineering led the way.
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.
