Watch Description
The Chicago 082 is a masterclass in subtlety, history, and craftsmanship. Anchoring the design is a parchment-toned dial with an inviting, neutral palette—one that has gracefully borne the marks of time. Nearly a century old, the surface carries light scratches and flecks that serve as a proud testament to its journey. Surrounding the dial are highly stylized golden numerals, their whimsical shapes adding a touch of personality to a refined layout. A recessed sub-seconds dial at six o’clock offers additional visual interest, while blued steel solid kite hands stretch elegantly across the aged canvas.
Turning the watch over reveals the mechanical soul within: a 17-jewel Elgin movement from 1928, preserved behind a domed crystal and polished steel caseback. The bridges feature a complex tapestry of engine-turned patterns—geometric flourishes that catch the light and showcase the artistry of early 20th-century watchmaking. Gold-toned jewel caps and gears glow beneath the surface, offering warmth and vibrancy amid the steelwork.
We’ve housed this historic movement in our machined stainless steel case topped with a machined steel bezel. A knurled machined-steel crown completes the build, providing a tactile, industrial counterpoint to the visual softness of the dial. A warm-toned leather strap rounds out the aesthetic, blending seamlessly into the neutral theme and making this piece an easy companion for everyday wear.
The movement inside The Chicago 082 was originally crafted in 1928—the same year Ford introduced the iconic Model A, marking a new chapter of American industrial innovation. It was a time of bold transitions and enduring craftsmanship, ideals that we honor with every Vortic timepiece.
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: 30095365
- Manufacture Year: 1928
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
The Chicago 082 is a masterclass in subtlety, history, and craftsmanship. Anchoring the design is a parchment-toned dial with an inviting, neutral palette—one that has gracefully borne the marks of time. Nearly a century old, the surface carries light scratches and flecks that serve as a proud testament to its journey. Surrounding the dial are highly stylized golden numerals, their whimsical shapes adding a touch of personality to a refined layout. A recessed sub-seconds dial at six o’clock offers additional visual interest, while blued steel solid kite hands stretch elegantly across the aged canvas.
Turning the watch over reveals the mechanical soul within: a 17-jewel Elgin movement from 1928, preserved behind a domed crystal and polished steel caseback. The bridges feature a complex tapestry of engine-turned patterns—geometric flourishes that catch the light and showcase the artistry of early 20th-century watchmaking. Gold-toned jewel caps and gears glow beneath the surface, offering warmth and vibrancy amid the steelwork.
We’ve housed this historic movement in our machined stainless steel case topped with a machined steel bezel. A knurled machined-steel crown completes the build, providing a tactile, industrial counterpoint to the visual softness of the dial. A warm-toned leather strap rounds out the aesthetic, blending seamlessly into the neutral theme and making this piece an easy companion for everyday wear.
The movement inside The Chicago 082 was originally crafted in 1928—the same year Ford introduced the iconic Model A, marking a new chapter of American industrial innovation. It was a time of bold transitions and enduring craftsmanship, ideals that we honor with every Vortic timepiece.
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.
