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.
What makes the Chicago 374 unique: Today we are incredibly excited to present this absolutely breathtaking watch from the Elgin National Watch Company. This watch is special in so many ways, but the first thing that jumped out to us was this incredible dial on this movement that hails from 1899. We get a lot of requests for pre-1900 watches and are usually only able to release around 10 or so per year based on scarcity. The gold-colored accents on the dial immediately pull you in to investigate all of the small details and work perfectly with this solid bronze case. We love working with bronze because of how the look and feel of the material will change over time to give the watch a lovely aged appearance. Bronze changes and darkens when exposed to oxygen, oils from our skin, and other natural elements over time. This particular case has already started to age slowly even since the time we finished building it. We love the look and wanted to emphasize the uniqueness of this look, which will eventually darken even more over time just from wearing the watch. Our moss strap pairs well with the tone of the case and we topped it off with our nickel-plated crown and hardware. As if the age alone isn't enough to get you excited about this movement, the 23 jewels and incredible design work will definitely pique your interest. The gears that turn beneath the build plate have been plated with rose gold, adding to the precious metals that make up this gorgeous watch. One of the signature design elements that we are happy to see as well is the intricate floral patterns that decorate this Moseley regulator. This watch was originally manufactured by the Elgin National Watch Company in Elgin, Illinois in 1899 over 123 years ago. This was also a big year for the up-and-coming automobile industry, with the very first known use of the word "automobile" in an article in the New York Times. This was also the year that German manufacturer "Opel" completed its very first vehicle. Originally started in 1862 as a sewing machine company, and later as a bicycle company, eventually they completely shifted and settled on automobiles. They remain the 3rd oldest automobile manufacturer in the world, still in production to this day.
Case Style:This case has been CNC milled from a solid block of aluminum bronze. The case is intentionally left unpolished so the intricate tool marks made during the milling process remain visible. The watch will arrive pre-patina'd like the product image and take on additional patina over time as it interacts with oxygen in the air and oils on your skin. This patina can be removed to return the bronze case to its original state, but most individuals strive for the distinct, one-of-a-kind patina created by their lifestyle. Each bronze case is one of a kind, and the rich, deep color of the patina will vary from case to case.
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 7499971 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.
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
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
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Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 46mm
- Height: 12mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 55mm
- Lugs: 22mm
- Case Finish: Machined Bronze
- Crown/Hardware: Nickel Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Gorilla Glass
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 7499971
- Manufacture Year: 1899
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 23j
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Chicago 374 unique: Today we are incredibly excited to present this absolutely breathtaking watch from the Elgin National Watch Company. This watch is special in so many ways, but the first thing that jumped out to us was this incredible dial on this movement that hails from 1899. We get a lot of requests for pre-1900 watches and are usually only able to release around 10 or so per year based on scarcity. The gold-colored accents on the dial immediately pull you in to investigate all of the small details and work perfectly with this solid bronze case. We love working with bronze because of how the look and feel of the material will change over time to give the watch a lovely aged appearance. Bronze changes and darkens when exposed to oxygen, oils from our skin, and other natural elements over time. This particular case has already started to age slowly even since the time we finished building it. We love the look and wanted to emphasize the uniqueness of this look, which will eventually darken even more over time just from wearing the watch. Our moss strap pairs well with the tone of the case and we topped it off with our nickel-plated crown and hardware. As if the age alone isn't enough to get you excited about this movement, the 23 jewels and incredible design work will definitely pique your interest. The gears that turn beneath the build plate have been plated with rose gold, adding to the precious metals that make up this gorgeous watch. One of the signature design elements that we are happy to see as well is the intricate floral patterns that decorate this Moseley regulator. This watch was originally manufactured by the Elgin National Watch Company in Elgin, Illinois in 1899 over 123 years ago. This was also a big year for the up-and-coming automobile industry, with the very first known use of the word "automobile" in an article in the New York Times. This was also the year that German manufacturer "Opel" completed its very first vehicle. Originally started in 1862 as a sewing machine company, and later as a bicycle company, eventually they completely shifted and settled on automobiles. They remain the 3rd oldest automobile manufacturer in the world, still in production to this day.
Quality Straps
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.
Mission
Our mission is to preserve and enhance the legacy of manufacturing excellence in America. We believe that this legacy is highly relevant in the world of watch manufacturing because our goal is to marry form and function in a way that makes something beautiful that will last forever. American made pocket watches were of such a high quality and decoration that they evolved into more than just a way to tell time. They became traditional heirlooms to be inherited by future generations as a wedding gift or a coming of age treasure. Each piece tells a lively tale of what U.S. manufacturing meant in the past using an intricate language of decorated bridges, plates, gears, and springs. Today, we are restoring these pieces to their former glory and making them relevant again using the best of modern technology.
American Made
We feel proud and blessed to live in the country, state, and city that we do. However, our motivation to build everything in the United States, and to deal locally whenever possible, is derived from a different source of inspiration. We believe that the close relationships, face-to-face interaction, and tight quality control we achieve while dealing domestically produces a truly superior product. Because of this, we are very transparent about where our components are made as we continue to build our in-house capabilities.
