Watch Description
What makes The Chicago 101 unique:
The Chicago 101 delivers a bold visual punch through contrast, clarity, and personality. Its crisp white dial provides a clean canvas for the chunky, comic-style black numerals—each one thick, rounded, and playful, standing in stark opposition to the dial’s otherwise minimal presentation. Minute markers line the outer edge with precision, while a spade-style hour hand and elongated whip-style minute hand, both heat-blued, stretch confidently across the dial. At 6 o’clock, a set-in sub-seconds dial punctuates the lower half of the layout, perfectly framed and subtly recessed to create dimensional balance.
Inside the case beats a 17-jewel Elgin movement originally crafted in 1923. The movement is housed in a hunting configuration—positioning the crown at 3 o’clock for ease of wear. Through the open caseback, you’ll see traditional Elgin flourishes: intricate engravings across the bridgework, a faded serial engraving still faintly visible, and gold jewel settings that catch the light just right. The entire aesthetic speaks to a timeworn authenticity and the skill of early American watchmakers.
This piece is housed in a machined stainless steel case with our signature angled bezel. The case has been left clean and crisp, showcasing the fine brushing of the finish. A knurled steel crown offers tactile control, while the black leather strap with light stitching adds a modern counterpoint that grounds the whole composition. The result is a watch that feels anchored in history yet ready for everyday wear.
Originally manufactured in 1923, this Elgin movement was produced during a pivotal year for American engineering. In the same year, the first American-built dirigible, the USS Shenandoah, completed its inaugural flight—marking a new era of innovation in airship travel. Like this watch, it was a symbol of ambition, precision, and American craftsmanship built to last.
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: 25477050
- Manufacture Year: 1923
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes The Chicago 101 unique:
The Chicago 101 delivers a bold visual punch through contrast, clarity, and personality. Its crisp white dial provides a clean canvas for the chunky, comic-style black numerals—each one thick, rounded, and playful, standing in stark opposition to the dial’s otherwise minimal presentation. Minute markers line the outer edge with precision, while a spade-style hour hand and elongated whip-style minute hand, both heat-blued, stretch confidently across the dial. At 6 o’clock, a set-in sub-seconds dial punctuates the lower half of the layout, perfectly framed and subtly recessed to create dimensional balance.
Inside the case beats a 17-jewel Elgin movement originally crafted in 1923. The movement is housed in a hunting configuration—positioning the crown at 3 o’clock for ease of wear. Through the open caseback, you’ll see traditional Elgin flourishes: intricate engravings across the bridgework, a faded serial engraving still faintly visible, and gold jewel settings that catch the light just right. The entire aesthetic speaks to a timeworn authenticity and the skill of early American watchmakers.
This piece is housed in a machined stainless steel case with our signature angled bezel. The case has been left clean and crisp, showcasing the fine brushing of the finish. A knurled steel crown offers tactile control, while the black leather strap with light stitching adds a modern counterpoint that grounds the whole composition. The result is a watch that feels anchored in history yet ready for everyday wear.
Originally manufactured in 1923, this Elgin movement was produced during a pivotal year for American engineering. In the same year, the first American-built dirigible, the USS Shenandoah, completed its inaugural flight—marking a new era of innovation in airship travel. Like this watch, it was a symbol of ambition, precision, and American craftsmanship built to last.
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.
