Watch Description
What makes The Chicago 107 unique:
The Chicago 107 is defined by the quiet character of its original dial, whose surface has developed a rich, vintage patina over more than a century of use. Fine spotting and soft wear give the dial depth without obscuring clarity, allowing the bold black Arabic numerals to remain crisp and legible. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock introduces a subtle change in elevation and adds visual balance, while the original blued-steel hands sweep smoothly across the surface, their deep blue tone standing out against the warm, time-worn background. Together, these elements create a dial that feels honest, functional, and unmistakably antique.
Inside, this watch is powered by a 17-jewel Elgin movement, visible through the open caseback. The movement displays polished steel bridges, gold-plated gears, and carefully finished components that reflect the engineering discipline Elgin was known for during the early twentieth century. The layout is clean and purposeful, with a visual rhythm that emphasizes both reliability and craftsmanship—qualities that made Elgin movements a trusted choice in their era.
We housed this movement in a machined steel case with a matching machined steel angled bezel, a design that adds subtle dimensionality while maintaining a restrained, utilitarian profile. A knurled machined-steel crown provides tactile grip for winding and setting, and the watch is finished with a cognac leather strap that complements the warm tones of the dial while grounding the piece in a classic, wearable aesthetic.
The Elgin movement inside The Chicago 107 was manufactured in 1921, a year marked by a return to industrial momentum following World War I. American factories were retooling for peacetime production, refining manufacturing processes, and meeting renewed demand for reliable consumer goods. Watches from this period reflect that transition—built with proven engineering, practical design, and an emphasis on durability. The Chicago 107 preserves that moment in American manufacturing history, carrying it forward as a functional artifact of the early twentieth century.
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: 1921
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Diameter: 45mm
- Case Material: Machined Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: 22mm Cognac leather strap - Hadley Roma
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 23363245
- Manufacture Year: 1921
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original Blued-Steel
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes The Chicago 107 unique:
The Chicago 107 is defined by the quiet character of its original dial, whose surface has developed a rich, vintage patina over more than a century of use. Fine spotting and soft wear give the dial depth without obscuring clarity, allowing the bold black Arabic numerals to remain crisp and legible. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock introduces a subtle change in elevation and adds visual balance, while the original blued-steel hands sweep smoothly across the surface, their deep blue tone standing out against the warm, time-worn background. Together, these elements create a dial that feels honest, functional, and unmistakably antique.
Inside, this watch is powered by a 17-jewel Elgin movement, visible through the open caseback. The movement displays polished steel bridges, gold-plated gears, and carefully finished components that reflect the engineering discipline Elgin was known for during the early twentieth century. The layout is clean and purposeful, with a visual rhythm that emphasizes both reliability and craftsmanship—qualities that made Elgin movements a trusted choice in their era.
We housed this movement in a machined steel case with a matching machined steel angled bezel, a design that adds subtle dimensionality while maintaining a restrained, utilitarian profile. A knurled machined-steel crown provides tactile grip for winding and setting, and the watch is finished with a cognac leather strap that complements the warm tones of the dial while grounding the piece in a classic, wearable aesthetic.
The Elgin movement inside The Chicago 107 was manufactured in 1921, a year marked by a return to industrial momentum following World War I. American factories were retooling for peacetime production, refining manufacturing processes, and meeting renewed demand for reliable consumer goods. Watches from this period reflect that transition—built with proven engineering, practical design, and an emphasis on durability. The Chicago 107 preserves that moment in American manufacturing history, carrying it forward as a functional artifact of the early twentieth century.
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.
