Watch Description
What Makes The Chicago 117 Unique:
The Chicago 117 pairs the dependability of early American watchmaking with a softer, more understated visual character. Built around a 17-jewel Elgin movement manufactured in 1922, this piece carries the refined simplicity that defined many of the best pocket watches of the early twentieth century. While some watches rely on heavy ornamentation to stand apart, the Chicago 117 succeeds through proportion, texture, and restraint.
Elgin stood among the largest and most influential American watch manufacturers of its era, producing millions of movements while helping establish standards for precision manufacturing across the industry. By the early 1920s, Elgin had refined its methods into an incredibly consistent process capable of producing reliable movements that balanced durability with elegant finishing.
The dial immediately creates a different personality than many period examples. A warm ivory surface carries subtle aging and soft tonal variation that give the watch depth without overwhelming the design. Bold black Arabic numerals remain highly legible against the lighter background, framed by a crisp outer railroad minute track that reinforces the movement’s original purpose as a precision instrument. Collectors will immediately notice the blued Louis-style hands, whose sculpted profiles add a level of elegance and movement that contrasts beautifully with the otherwise restrained layout.
At 6 o’clock, a recessed sub-seconds register anchors the composition and preserves the original proportions of the pocket watch dial. Its detailed minute divisions create additional visual texture while maintaining the symmetry that collectors often appreciate in early American pocket watch layouts.
Turning the watch over reveals the movement beneath the sapphire caseback. The 17-jewel Elgin movement displays brushed and polished surfaces, visible gold-plated gearing, ruby jewel settings, and an architecture that feels straightforward yet refined. Collectors familiar with American movements from this period will appreciate the practical engineering that made Elgin one of the most respected names in the industry.
The modern exterior creates a subtle contrast with the century-old movement within. The machined stainless steel V3 case is paired with a sandblasted bezel that softens reflections and introduces a more tactile character. Above the dial sits a pre-patinated bronze crown, adding warmth and a slight industrial edge against the cooler steel surfaces. Paired with the rich brown strap, the overall presentation feels balanced and timeless.
The Chicago 117 does not compete for attention through excess. Instead, it rewards closer inspection, revealing small details and subtle textures that become more noticeable over time.
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 Diameter: 45mm
- Case Material: Machined Stainless Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: 22mm Brown Leather Strap with Bronze Buckle
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 24600649
- Manufacture Year: 1922
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What Makes The Chicago 117 Unique:
The Chicago 117 pairs the dependability of early American watchmaking with a softer, more understated visual character. Built around a 17-jewel Elgin movement manufactured in 1922, this piece carries the refined simplicity that defined many of the best pocket watches of the early twentieth century. While some watches rely on heavy ornamentation to stand apart, the Chicago 117 succeeds through proportion, texture, and restraint.
Elgin stood among the largest and most influential American watch manufacturers of its era, producing millions of movements while helping establish standards for precision manufacturing across the industry. By the early 1920s, Elgin had refined its methods into an incredibly consistent process capable of producing reliable movements that balanced durability with elegant finishing.
The dial immediately creates a different personality than many period examples. A warm ivory surface carries subtle aging and soft tonal variation that give the watch depth without overwhelming the design. Bold black Arabic numerals remain highly legible against the lighter background, framed by a crisp outer railroad minute track that reinforces the movement’s original purpose as a precision instrument. Collectors will immediately notice the blued Louis-style hands, whose sculpted profiles add a level of elegance and movement that contrasts beautifully with the otherwise restrained layout.
At 6 o’clock, a recessed sub-seconds register anchors the composition and preserves the original proportions of the pocket watch dial. Its detailed minute divisions create additional visual texture while maintaining the symmetry that collectors often appreciate in early American pocket watch layouts.
Turning the watch over reveals the movement beneath the sapphire caseback. The 17-jewel Elgin movement displays brushed and polished surfaces, visible gold-plated gearing, ruby jewel settings, and an architecture that feels straightforward yet refined. Collectors familiar with American movements from this period will appreciate the practical engineering that made Elgin one of the most respected names in the industry.
The modern exterior creates a subtle contrast with the century-old movement within. The machined stainless steel V3 case is paired with a sandblasted bezel that softens reflections and introduces a more tactile character. Above the dial sits a pre-patinated bronze crown, adding warmth and a slight industrial edge against the cooler steel surfaces. Paired with the rich brown strap, the overall presentation feels balanced and timeless.
The Chicago 117 does not compete for attention through excess. Instead, it rewards closer inspection, revealing small details and subtle textures that become more noticeable over time.
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.
