Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 136 Unique: Now this is a classy watch. You could wear this with a tux, or with jeans. So many options. Not to mention given the large numeral size, it's very functional and easy to tell the time quickly. There's a little patina, but one might think this watch is not as old as it is. Originally manufactured in 1906, this Elgin movement is a special model called the GM Wheeler. We don't see many of those in the 12size, and this particular one would have been a "gentleman's pocket watch" meaning it was very expensive in 1906 due to the decoration, style, and engraving. It would have been marketed to an upper class individual for certain.
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: 2020
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 47mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 55mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Machined Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: See Description
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Horween Shell Cordovan Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number:
- Manufacture Year:
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Chicago 136 Unique: Now this is a classy watch. You could wear this with a tux, or with jeans. So many options. Not to mention given the large numeral size, it's very functional and easy to tell the time quickly. There's a little patina, but one might think this watch is not as old as it is. Originally manufactured in 1906, this Elgin movement is a special model called the GM Wheeler. We don't see many of those in the 12size, and this particular one would have been a "gentleman's pocket watch" meaning it was very expensive in 1906 due to the decoration, style, and engraving. It would have been marketed to an upper class individual for certain.
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.
