{"product_id":"the-chicago-122-45mm","title":"The Chicago 122 (45mm)","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Makes The Chicago 122 Unique:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Chicago 122 showcases the understated precision that made Elgin one of America's most respected watchmakers during the early twentieth century. Built around a 17-jewel Elgin movement manufactured in 1920, this piece reflects a period when dependable performance and restrained design went hand in hand. While the movement embodies the reliability collectors have long associated with Elgin, it is the beautifully preserved matte silver dial and its refined simplicity that immediately distinguish this watch.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe first thing collectors will notice is the exceptionally clean matte silver dial, whose soft finish has developed a gentle warmth over more than a century without sacrificing its original character. Crisp black Arabic numerals provide outstanding legibility while maintaining a balanced, uncluttered layout. Slender blued steel spade hands offer a subtle flash of color as they move across the dial, creating an elegant contrast against the silver background. At six o'clock, the recessed sub-seconds register features a bold double-track scale that reinforces the watch's precision-focused heritage while adding welcome depth to the otherwise minimalist design. Small signs of honest aging around the dial only enhance its authenticity, reminding the wearer that this is a genuine piece of American horological history rather than a modern reproduction.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTurning the watch over reveals the original 17-jewel Elgin movement beneath the sapphire exhibition caseback. Broad striped damaskeening flows gracefully across the bridges, while polished and snailed winding wheels, gold jewel settings, and the exposed balance assembly showcase the practical yet refined finishing standards that defined Elgin's higher-grade production. Every component reflects the company's commitment to producing accurate, serviceable movements that earned the trust of generations of railroad workers, professionals, and everyday Americans alike.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVortic has carefully preserved this historic movement within its 45mm Chicago case, crafted from sandblasted 316L stainless steel. The matte finish complements the dial's restrained aesthetic while providing modern durability for daily wear. A machined bronze crown introduces a subtle touch of warmth that pairs naturally with the cognac American-made leather strap, creating a balanced combination of vintage character and contemporary craftsmanship.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Chicago 122 is a celebration of purposeful American watchmaking. Its remarkably clean matte silver dial, blued steel spade hands, crisp Arabic numerals, and beautifully preserved Elgin movement combine to create a watch whose quiet elegance becomes more compelling with every closer look.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vortic Watch Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52309341208877,"sku":null,"price":4500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1710\/0345\/files\/1_fb5b471c-042e-43df-a92f-076760e22f46.png?v=1787261539","url":"https:\/\/vorticwatches.com\/products\/the-chicago-122-45mm","provider":"Vortic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}