Watch Description
What Makes The Chicago 120 Unique:
The Chicago 120 brings together several qualities collectors consistently seek: a beautifully engraved center medallion, striking blued-steel hands, and an Elgin movement produced during one of the company’s strongest periods of manufacturing. Built around a 17-jewel Elgin movement from 1928, this watch represents the closing years of America’s golden age of pocket watch production, when refinement and mechanical reliability had reached a remarkably mature stage.
The dial is the first feature that commands attention. While the outer chapter ring presents a clean, highly legible layout with bold Arabic numerals, the center section reveals a level of decorative detail that transforms the entire character of the watch. Intricate floral engraving fills the central medallion, creating texture and depth that shift subtly as light moves across the surface. Collectors often gravitate toward dials like this because they showcase the craftsmanship that distinguished many higher-quality American pocket watches from their more utilitarian counterparts.
The contrast between the engraved center and the simpler outer dial creates a layered appearance that feels elegant without becoming overly ornate. The original Elgin signature remains sharply visible within the medallion, serving as a reminder of the movement’s heritage and the company responsible for producing it nearly a century ago.
Equally distinctive are the blued-steel hands. Their angular, decorative profile immediately separates this watch from more common examples, while the deep blue coloration provides a striking contrast against the silver-toned dial. The matching blued sub-seconds hand completes the composition and creates a sense of visual continuity throughout the display. These details are subtle at first glance but become increasingly rewarding the longer the watch is studied.
Turning the watch over reveals an equally compelling movement. The 17-jewel Elgin movement showcases decorative damaskeening across the upper plates, creating a geometric pattern that catches light throughout the movement. Gold jewel settings provide warm points of contrast against the silver-toned finish, while the exposed balance assembly offers a constant reminder of the mechanical precision operating beneath the dial.
By 1928, Elgin had become one of the most prolific and respected watch manufacturers in the United States, producing movements known for their dependability and quality. This example reflects that reputation through its clean architecture, thoughtful finishing, and enduring mechanical design. The engraved patterns visible throughout the movement elevate it beyond pure function and into the realm of industrial artistry.
The modern presentation complements these historic elements beautifully. Vortic’s 45mm sandblasted stainless steel case introduces a contemporary matte texture that allows the antique dial to remain the focal point. The machined crown provides crisp tactile feedback when winding the movement, while the black leather strap adds contrast that reinforces the watch’s monochromatic palette.
The Chicago 120 succeeds because it balances ornamentation and restraint so effectively. The engraved center dial provides character without overwhelming the design, the blued hands introduce visual drama without sacrificing legibility, and the Elgin movement delivers the kind of craftsmanship that continues to attract collectors generations after it was built. Together, these elements create a watch that feels both refined and unmistakably American.
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: Sandblasted Stainless Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: 22mm Black Leather Strap with Steel
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 30530620
- Manufacture Year: 1928
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original Blued-Steel
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What Makes The Chicago 120 Unique:
The Chicago 120 brings together several qualities collectors consistently seek: a beautifully engraved center medallion, striking blued-steel hands, and an Elgin movement produced during one of the company’s strongest periods of manufacturing. Built around a 17-jewel Elgin movement from 1928, this watch represents the closing years of America’s golden age of pocket watch production, when refinement and mechanical reliability had reached a remarkably mature stage.
The dial is the first feature that commands attention. While the outer chapter ring presents a clean, highly legible layout with bold Arabic numerals, the center section reveals a level of decorative detail that transforms the entire character of the watch. Intricate floral engraving fills the central medallion, creating texture and depth that shift subtly as light moves across the surface. Collectors often gravitate toward dials like this because they showcase the craftsmanship that distinguished many higher-quality American pocket watches from their more utilitarian counterparts.
The contrast between the engraved center and the simpler outer dial creates a layered appearance that feels elegant without becoming overly ornate. The original Elgin signature remains sharply visible within the medallion, serving as a reminder of the movement’s heritage and the company responsible for producing it nearly a century ago.
Equally distinctive are the blued-steel hands. Their angular, decorative profile immediately separates this watch from more common examples, while the deep blue coloration provides a striking contrast against the silver-toned dial. The matching blued sub-seconds hand completes the composition and creates a sense of visual continuity throughout the display. These details are subtle at first glance but become increasingly rewarding the longer the watch is studied.
Turning the watch over reveals an equally compelling movement. The 17-jewel Elgin movement showcases decorative damaskeening across the upper plates, creating a geometric pattern that catches light throughout the movement. Gold jewel settings provide warm points of contrast against the silver-toned finish, while the exposed balance assembly offers a constant reminder of the mechanical precision operating beneath the dial.
By 1928, Elgin had become one of the most prolific and respected watch manufacturers in the United States, producing movements known for their dependability and quality. This example reflects that reputation through its clean architecture, thoughtful finishing, and enduring mechanical design. The engraved patterns visible throughout the movement elevate it beyond pure function and into the realm of industrial artistry.
The modern presentation complements these historic elements beautifully. Vortic’s 45mm sandblasted stainless steel case introduces a contemporary matte texture that allows the antique dial to remain the focal point. The machined crown provides crisp tactile feedback when winding the movement, while the black leather strap adds contrast that reinforces the watch’s monochromatic palette.
The Chicago 120 succeeds because it balances ornamentation and restraint so effectively. The engraved center dial provides character without overwhelming the design, the blued hands introduce visual drama without sacrificing legibility, and the Elgin movement delivers the kind of craftsmanship that continues to attract collectors generations after it was built. Together, these elements create a watch that feels both refined and unmistakably American.
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.
