Watch Description
What Makes The Chicago 096 Unique:
The Chicago 096 features a softly aged dial that wears its century of age with pride. Warm ivory tones from the grand feu enamel are layered with genuine antique patina, giving the surface depth and character without sacrificing clarity. Bold black Arabic numerals anchor the layout, framed by a crisp outer minute track that reinforces the dial’s utilitarian roots. We preserved the original blued-steel hands, whose deep blue hue provides sharp contrast against the aged background while adding a refined elegance. At 6 o’clock, the traditional sub-seconds dial maintains balance and legibility, while the crown’s placement at 3 o’clock—rather than the pocket-watch standard of 12—marks the transformation from its original form into a purpose-built wristwatch. A century ago they called these pocket watches “hunting” style as they typically featured a spring loaded cover to protect the front glass while in the pocket.
Inside, this watch is powered by a 17-jewel Elgin movement manufactured in 1917. Through the open caseback, the movement reveals polished steel components, finely machined bridges, and warm gold-toned gears that reflect the craftsmanship Elgin was known for during this period. The jewel settings add subtle points of color, while the overall layout speaks to durability and precision—qualities that made Elgin movements trusted tools in an era when accurate timekeeping mattered deeply.
The movement is housed in our machined stainless-steel Version 3 case, paired with a machined steel coin-edge bezel that adds both texture and visual weight. A knurled machined-steel crown offers confident grip and reinforces the industrial aesthetic. The watch is finished on a black leather strap, grounding the design and allowing the aged dial to remain the focal point. Every element works together to highlight the watch’s balance of utility and restraint.
This particular piece is made even more special by its original connection to F.G. Wehrle & Son, a jewelry shop based in Belleville, Illinois. In 1917, as the United States entered World War I, American manufacturers like Elgin played a critical role in supporting the nation’s infrastructure by producing reliable timekeepers for railroads, factories, and military logistics. Watches like this were essential tools, helping coordinate production schedules and transportation during one of the most pivotal years in American history.
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 Diameter: 45mm
- Case Material: Machined Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Front: Domed Sapphire Back: Flat Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: 22mm Black Leather Strap with Steel Buckle
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 19116435
- Manufacture Year: 1917
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original Blued-Steel Hands
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What Makes The Chicago 096 Unique:
The Chicago 096 features a softly aged dial that wears its century of age with pride. Warm ivory tones from the grand feu enamel are layered with genuine antique patina, giving the surface depth and character without sacrificing clarity. Bold black Arabic numerals anchor the layout, framed by a crisp outer minute track that reinforces the dial’s utilitarian roots. We preserved the original blued-steel hands, whose deep blue hue provides sharp contrast against the aged background while adding a refined elegance. At 6 o’clock, the traditional sub-seconds dial maintains balance and legibility, while the crown’s placement at 3 o’clock—rather than the pocket-watch standard of 12—marks the transformation from its original form into a purpose-built wristwatch. A century ago they called these pocket watches “hunting” style as they typically featured a spring loaded cover to protect the front glass while in the pocket.
Inside, this watch is powered by a 17-jewel Elgin movement manufactured in 1917. Through the open caseback, the movement reveals polished steel components, finely machined bridges, and warm gold-toned gears that reflect the craftsmanship Elgin was known for during this period. The jewel settings add subtle points of color, while the overall layout speaks to durability and precision—qualities that made Elgin movements trusted tools in an era when accurate timekeeping mattered deeply.
The movement is housed in our machined stainless-steel Version 3 case, paired with a machined steel coin-edge bezel that adds both texture and visual weight. A knurled machined-steel crown offers confident grip and reinforces the industrial aesthetic. The watch is finished on a black leather strap, grounding the design and allowing the aged dial to remain the focal point. Every element works together to highlight the watch’s balance of utility and restraint.
This particular piece is made even more special by its original connection to F.G. Wehrle & Son, a jewelry shop based in Belleville, Illinois. In 1917, as the United States entered World War I, American manufacturers like Elgin played a critical role in supporting the nation’s infrastructure by producing reliable timekeepers for railroads, factories, and military logistics. Watches like this were essential tools, helping coordinate production schedules and transportation during one of the most pivotal years in American history.
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.
