Watch Description
What makes The Chicago 092 unique:
The Chicago 092 features a cream-toned dial adorned with a truly unique inner design—two mirrored heraldic lions flanking a floral motif beneath the Elgin logo. This antique print adds a sense of regality and story to the piece, complemented by bold, boxy numerals that wrap around the dial in rhythmic symmetry. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock is sharply defined, bringing classic balance to the layout. At center, a set of blued steel diamond-kite hands offer crisp contrast and catch the light with just the right touch of flair.
Inside, this piece is powered by a 17-jewel Elgin movement manufactured in 1928. Its clean, brushed aesthetic highlights precision-crafted gears and polished components, with an elegant layout that celebrates both functionality and beauty. The movement’s bridgework features delicate engraving and sharp symmetry, making it as much a work of art as a feat of engineering.
This watch is housed in a 45mm machined stainless steel case with a smooth, sandblasted finish that softens the industrial tone and emphasizes the visual texture of the dial. A matching sandblasted steel bezel and knurled crown add tactile balance, while the camel-toned leather strap completes the build with warm, earthy contrast.
In 1928, American innovation was on full display when Charles Lindbergh was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his pioneering solo flight across the Atlantic just the year prior. That same spirit of exploration and craftsmanship lives on in this Elgin movement—an artifact of its time, now given new life on the wrist.
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: Sandblasted Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 30858337
- Manufacture Year: 1928
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes The Chicago 092 unique:
The Chicago 092 features a cream-toned dial adorned with a truly unique inner design—two mirrored heraldic lions flanking a floral motif beneath the Elgin logo. This antique print adds a sense of regality and story to the piece, complemented by bold, boxy numerals that wrap around the dial in rhythmic symmetry. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock is sharply defined, bringing classic balance to the layout. At center, a set of blued steel diamond-kite hands offer crisp contrast and catch the light with just the right touch of flair.
Inside, this piece is powered by a 17-jewel Elgin movement manufactured in 1928. Its clean, brushed aesthetic highlights precision-crafted gears and polished components, with an elegant layout that celebrates both functionality and beauty. The movement’s bridgework features delicate engraving and sharp symmetry, making it as much a work of art as a feat of engineering.
This watch is housed in a 45mm machined stainless steel case with a smooth, sandblasted finish that softens the industrial tone and emphasizes the visual texture of the dial. A matching sandblasted steel bezel and knurled crown add tactile balance, while the camel-toned leather strap completes the build with warm, earthy contrast.
In 1928, American innovation was on full display when Charles Lindbergh was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his pioneering solo flight across the Atlantic just the year prior. That same spirit of exploration and craftsmanship lives on in this Elgin movement—an artifact of its time, now given new life on the wrist.
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.
