The Chicago 359 (46mm)

The Chicago 359 (46mm)

The Chicago 359 (46mm)
The Chicago 359 (46mm)
The Chicago 359 (46mm)
The Chicago 359 (46mm)
The Chicago 359 (46mm)
The Chicago 359 (46mm)
The Chicago 359 (46mm)
The Chicago 359 (46mm)
The Chicago 359 (46mm)
The Chicago 359 (46mm)

Watch Description

The American mechanism inside this watch is not a replica or an "inspired" piece. It was genuinely carried by an individual, 100 years ago, that depended on it. Each time you wear this watch, you will be transported through time, imagining who this individual was and the work they did to help build our country. Simply put, American Artisan Series watches make you feel something when you put them on. At Vortic, we tell customers that owning a watch isn't nearly as important as owning a story. And, this is an opportunity to be a part of a story that is bigger than yourself. You won't be the first to own this watch, and you certainly won't be the last, so make your chapter count.

The American Artisan Series is a line of fully American Made wristwatches powered by restored, U.S. made pocket watch movements. Individuals commonly scrap pocket watch cases for their precious metal, leaving the original mechanism orphaned. This watch contains the original movement (timepiece), dial (face), and hands from a vintage (1880's - 1950's) pocket watch made by Elgin Watch Company. We call this model "The Chicago" because of the company's proximity to the city.

The Chicago 359 is the 359th one-of-a-kind piece in Vortic's "Chicago" line of the American Artisan Series. This watch contains the original movement (timepiece), dial (face), and hands from a vintage (1880’s – 1950’s) pocket watch. The American Artisan Series is a line of fully American Made wristwatches powered by restored, U.S. made pocket watch movements.

What makes the Chicago 359 Unique: Breathing new life into antique watches is a labor of love. It’s incredible to see how our team can transform them after they’ve lived so many years in different hands. This watch is no exception, with this incredibly unique dial. With much of its finer details worn away by time, the numerals are left behind to stand out. Blue steel, kite-shaped hands create contrast across the face of the dial and pair perfectly with our sandblasted titanium case. We added a custom patina on our copper crown and finished it off with a stout band. We appreciate that the movement powering this watch looks almost the same as the day it left the factory in Elgin, Illinois. A wonderfully designed bridge plate sprawls out over the inner workings of the gears and balance wheel. 17 dark, ruby jewels keep this moving running smoothly along with gold-plated gears and a brass balance. This movement was originally manufactured in 1924 by the Elgin National Watch Company. This was also the first year of the Winter Olympics, and American speed skater Charles Jewtraw won the very first Olympic Gold Medal to be awarded at the Winter Olympics.

1924

26783645

Case Style:This case has been CNC milled from a solid block of aerospace grade titanium. The case is intentionally left unpolished so the intricate tool marks made during the milling process remain visible. Titanium is the ultimate material for strength to weight ratio. Titanium has a darker look than steel, and due to its low thermal conductivity, feels warm to the touch. These characteristics create an enduring, highly wearable, distinctive piece.

Movement: The manually wound, antique, pocket watch movement inside this watch has been meticulously restored to as close to original condition as possible. Vortic has an exclusive group of highly experienced watchmakers that specialize in vintage watches. Before its use in a wristwatch, each movement is completely disassembled, cleaned, oiled, and calibrated. Each finished Vortic watch is tested for at least a week before completion.

This watch's movement is serial number from the Elgin Watch Company. 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.

Watch Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
  • Model Year: 2021
  • Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
  • Case Dimensions: 
    • Diameter: 46mm
    • Height: 12mm
    • Lug-to-Lug: 55mm
    • Lugs: 22mm
  • Case Finish: Machined Titanium
  • Crown/Hardware: Nickel Plated
  • Water Resistance: 1 ATM
  • Crystals: Gorilla Glass
  • Case Back: Stainless Steel
  • Strap: Leather

Movement

  • Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
  • Serial Number: 
  • Manufacture Year: 
  • Function: Manual Wind
  • Jewels: 17j
  • Hands: Original
  • Size: 12s
  • Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
It looks like it would have been right at home on the wrist of Indiana Jones! This watch is a showpiece as much as it is as unique timepiece!
—John from Indiana
After receiving the watch in the mail, I was surprised to see the watch somehow looked better in person than it did in the photos. I didn't think that would be possible!
—Mark from Massachusetts
The skeleton back is amazing and the packaging was perfect. To honor the past with details like this is truly impressive.
—Brad from Florida
I own so called "high end" watches such as Rolex, Panerai, and Zenith but they pale in comparison to my two Vortic models which I wear everyday to work.
—Todd from Ohio

The Chicago 359 is the 359th one-of-a-kind piece in Vortic's "Chicago" line of the American Artisan Series. This watch contains the original movement (timepiece), dial (face), and hands from a vintage (1880’s – 1950’s) pocket watch. The American Artisan Series is a line of fully American Made wristwatches powered by restored, U.S. made pocket watch movements.

What makes the Chicago 359 Unique: Breathing new life into antique watches is a labor of love. It’s incredible to see how our team can transform them after they’ve lived so many years in different hands. This watch is no exception, with this incredibly unique dial. With much of its finer details worn away by time, the numerals are left behind to stand out. Blue steel, kite-shaped hands create contrast across the face of the dial and pair perfectly with our sandblasted titanium case. We added a custom patina on our copper crown and finished it off with a stout band. We appreciate that the movement powering this watch looks almost the same as the day it left the factory in Elgin, Illinois. A wonderfully designed bridge plate sprawls out over the inner workings of the gears and balance wheel. 17 dark, ruby jewels keep this moving running smoothly along with gold-plated gears and a brass balance. This movement was originally manufactured in 1924 by the Elgin National Watch Company. This was also the first year of the Winter Olympics, and American speed skater Charles Jewtraw won the very first Olympic Gold Medal to be awarded at the Winter Olympics.

1924

26783645

Quality Straps

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Mission

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Two men walking side by side through a leather curing facility.

American Made

Learn More About The American Artisan Series

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