Watch Description
What makes The Chicago 089 unique:
The Chicago 089 stands out with a dial that feels straight from the pages of a 1920s design manual. Its vertically pinstriped surface evokes the refined tailoring of the era—subtle, stylish, and full of depth. Paired with bold Art Deco numerals, each outlined with a rich black drop shadow, the dial draws the eye into a layered interplay of light and line. At 6 o’clock, a recessed sub-seconds dial balances the composition, while a pair of heat-blued gothic-style hands hovers above, casting just the right amount of contrast.
Inside, this piece is powered by a 17-jewel Elgin movement made in 1927. Peer through the exhibition caseback and you’ll see detailed geometric engraving across the plates—a striking tapestry of pattern and precision that highlights the artistry of early American watchmaking. Gold-toned gears and polished hardware complete the display, proving that the beauty of this watch extends far beyond its face.
The 12-size movement is housed in a machined titanium case for optimal durability and weight, finished with a coin-edge bezel that mirrors the dial’s linear texture. A knurled titanium crown adds tactile interest, and the dark Horween leather strap with light contrast stitching brings everything together in a clean, confident package.
This Elgin movement was manufactured in 1927—the same year Charles Lindbergh received the Medal of Honor for his solo flight across the Atlantic. That spirit of bold exploration and breakthrough innovation lives on in The Chicago 089, a timepiece that merges enduring craftsmanship with expressive design.
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: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 29854779
- Manufacture Year: 1927
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes The Chicago 089 unique:
The Chicago 089 stands out with a dial that feels straight from the pages of a 1920s design manual. Its vertically pinstriped surface evokes the refined tailoring of the era—subtle, stylish, and full of depth. Paired with bold Art Deco numerals, each outlined with a rich black drop shadow, the dial draws the eye into a layered interplay of light and line. At 6 o’clock, a recessed sub-seconds dial balances the composition, while a pair of heat-blued gothic-style hands hovers above, casting just the right amount of contrast.
Inside, this piece is powered by a 17-jewel Elgin movement made in 1927. Peer through the exhibition caseback and you’ll see detailed geometric engraving across the plates—a striking tapestry of pattern and precision that highlights the artistry of early American watchmaking. Gold-toned gears and polished hardware complete the display, proving that the beauty of this watch extends far beyond its face.
The 12-size movement is housed in a machined titanium case for optimal durability and weight, finished with a coin-edge bezel that mirrors the dial’s linear texture. A knurled titanium crown adds tactile interest, and the dark Horween leather strap with light contrast stitching brings everything together in a clean, confident package.
This Elgin movement was manufactured in 1927—the same year Charles Lindbergh received the Medal of Honor for his solo flight across the Atlantic. That spirit of bold exploration and breakthrough innovation lives on in The Chicago 089, a timepiece that merges enduring craftsmanship with expressive design.
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.
