Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 085 unique:
The dial of The Chicago 085 is a study in contrast, texture, and time-earned beauty. At its center, a mesmerizing wavy guilloché pattern ripples across a golden-toned field, bordered by a soft halo of warm patina that hints at nearly a century of wear. The hour numerals are printed in a deep charcoal tone and framed by a bold minute track, drawing the eye outward while maintaining balance with the sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock. That sub-seconds dial is one of the most distinctive we’ve seen—its swirling finish and aged surface suggest decades of stories untold. A pair of blued steel hands hovers above it all, catching the light with a flash of cool contrast.
Housed within is a 17-jewel movement originally manufactured by Elgin in 1926. Through the exhibition caseback, you’ll see gold-plated gears, polished screws, and richly patterned bridges—all of which speak to the precision engineering Elgin was known for during the golden age of American watchmaking. This mechanical workhorse continues to run beautifully nearly 100 years later, a true testament to American craftsmanship.
We’ve paired this historic movement with a machined stainless steel case that complements the dial’s warm tones with industrial clarity. The case features a smooth bezel and textured knurled crown, adding both visual interest and tactile grip. A warm rye-colored leather strap provides an earthy counterpoint to the silver-tone case, giving the piece an easy elegance while ensuring it wears comfortably day after day. A domed crystal completes the profile, magnifying the watch’s rich details without overwhelming its vintage soul.
This movement was manufactured in 1926—the same year American aviation made international headlines when Commander Richard E. Byrd became the first person to fly over the North Pole. The feat was both daring and controversial at the time, but it captivated a nation eager to celebrate exploration and technological achievement. Much like that milestone, The Chicago 085 reminds us of a time when American ingenuity was pushing boundaries and capturing imaginations.
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 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: 28681571
- Manufacture Year: 1926
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Chicago 085 unique:
The dial of The Chicago 085 is a study in contrast, texture, and time-earned beauty. At its center, a mesmerizing wavy guilloché pattern ripples across a golden-toned field, bordered by a soft halo of warm patina that hints at nearly a century of wear. The hour numerals are printed in a deep charcoal tone and framed by a bold minute track, drawing the eye outward while maintaining balance with the sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock. That sub-seconds dial is one of the most distinctive we’ve seen—its swirling finish and aged surface suggest decades of stories untold. A pair of blued steel hands hovers above it all, catching the light with a flash of cool contrast.
Housed within is a 17-jewel movement originally manufactured by Elgin in 1926. Through the exhibition caseback, you’ll see gold-plated gears, polished screws, and richly patterned bridges—all of which speak to the precision engineering Elgin was known for during the golden age of American watchmaking. This mechanical workhorse continues to run beautifully nearly 100 years later, a true testament to American craftsmanship.
We’ve paired this historic movement with a machined stainless steel case that complements the dial’s warm tones with industrial clarity. The case features a smooth bezel and textured knurled crown, adding both visual interest and tactile grip. A warm rye-colored leather strap provides an earthy counterpoint to the silver-tone case, giving the piece an easy elegance while ensuring it wears comfortably day after day. A domed crystal completes the profile, magnifying the watch’s rich details without overwhelming its vintage soul.
This movement was manufactured in 1926—the same year American aviation made international headlines when Commander Richard E. Byrd became the first person to fly over the North Pole. The feat was both daring and controversial at the time, but it captivated a nation eager to celebrate exploration and technological achievement. Much like that milestone, The Chicago 085 reminds us of a time when American ingenuity was pushing boundaries and capturing imaginations.
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.
