Watch Description
What makes The Chicago 083 unique:
The Chicago 083 features one of the most visually captivating dials we've encountered—an antique hand-painted ship scene that transforms this watch into a true work of art. The Hungarian sailing vessel is rendered in rich, warm tones, framed by a soft, sky-blue backdrop and surrounded by Roman numerals in a classic serif font. Red minute markers ring the outer track, while the detailed brushwork on the hull, sails, and flags lends an almost cinematic depth to the composition. Blued steel fine spade-style hands sweep across the canvas without disrupting the storytelling, adding just the right amount of functional contrast to the picturesque dial.
This watch is powered by a 17-jewel Elgin movement, originally manufactured in 1926. Flip it over and you'll find gold-plated gears, polished steel hardware, and a set of bridges adorned with intricate decorative geometric engraving. The pattern gives the movement a refined sense of symmetry and texture, enhancing its visual appeal while showcasing the precision of early American horology.
The 45mm case is machined from polished stainless steel with a smooth bezel that subtly reflects light without overpowering the dial’s artistry. We’ve paired it with a vertically grooved bronze crown to echo the nautical aesthetic, and finished the piece with a navy blue American-made leather strap. The colors and materials evoke an old-world charm while remaining grounded in modern craftsmanship.
In 1926, the Elgin National Watch Company—already one of the largest watch manufacturers in the world—produced its 70 millionth timepiece. This milestone underscored America’s position at the forefront of global horology, cementing Elgin’s legacy as a symbol of domestic industrial excellence and timeless innovation.
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.
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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 Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Bronze
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 28679528
- Manufacture Year: 1926
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes The Chicago 083 unique:
The Chicago 083 features one of the most visually captivating dials we've encountered—an antique hand-painted ship scene that transforms this watch into a true work of art. The Hungarian sailing vessel is rendered in rich, warm tones, framed by a soft, sky-blue backdrop and surrounded by Roman numerals in a classic serif font. Red minute markers ring the outer track, while the detailed brushwork on the hull, sails, and flags lends an almost cinematic depth to the composition. Blued steel fine spade-style hands sweep across the canvas without disrupting the storytelling, adding just the right amount of functional contrast to the picturesque dial.
This watch is powered by a 17-jewel Elgin movement, originally manufactured in 1926. Flip it over and you'll find gold-plated gears, polished steel hardware, and a set of bridges adorned with intricate decorative geometric engraving. The pattern gives the movement a refined sense of symmetry and texture, enhancing its visual appeal while showcasing the precision of early American horology.
The 45mm case is machined from polished stainless steel with a smooth bezel that subtly reflects light without overpowering the dial’s artistry. We’ve paired it with a vertically grooved bronze crown to echo the nautical aesthetic, and finished the piece with a navy blue American-made leather strap. The colors and materials evoke an old-world charm while remaining grounded in modern craftsmanship.
In 1926, the Elgin National Watch Company—already one of the largest watch manufacturers in the world—produced its 70 millionth timepiece. This milestone underscored America’s position at the forefront of global horology, cementing Elgin’s legacy as a symbol of domestic industrial excellence and timeless innovation.
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.
