Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 435 unique:
The Chicago 435 features an eggshell-colored dial adorned with deep blue stylized numerals that bring a vibrant elegance to the display. These numerals extend to the sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock, where they frame the crisp, railroad-style markings with matching precision. At the center, heat-blued hands in a diamond kite style sweep gracefully across the face, their hue shifting subtly with the light. The “Elgin” logo, rendered in matching blue, stands as a simple yet striking counterpoint to the surrounding numerals.
Inside, a 17-jewel Elgin movement from 1921 powers this timepiece. The open caseback reveals the artistry of its construction—geometric patterns intricately engraved into the bridgework, complemented by gold-plated gears and accents that lend a warm glow against the steel.
The watch is housed in a sandblasted titanium case with a smooth, matching bezel for a uniform finish. The standout gold-plated crown offers a bold contrast, tying in with the warm tones of the movement within. Completing the look is a perfectly paired navy blue leather strap, its rich color echoing the dial’s numerals for a cohesive and balanced presentation.
In 1921, the same year this movement was crafted, the first radio baseball broadcast aired in Pittsburgh, changing the way fans experienced America’s pastime. Much like that moment connected people to the game in a new way, this restored timepiece connects us to the craftsmanship and innovation of its own era.
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 Dimensions:
- Diameter: 47mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 55mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Sandblasted Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 23018548
- Manufacture Year: 1921
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Chicago 435 unique:
The Chicago 435 features an eggshell-colored dial adorned with deep blue stylized numerals that bring a vibrant elegance to the display. These numerals extend to the sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock, where they frame the crisp, railroad-style markings with matching precision. At the center, heat-blued hands in a diamond kite style sweep gracefully across the face, their hue shifting subtly with the light. The “Elgin” logo, rendered in matching blue, stands as a simple yet striking counterpoint to the surrounding numerals.
Inside, a 17-jewel Elgin movement from 1921 powers this timepiece. The open caseback reveals the artistry of its construction—geometric patterns intricately engraved into the bridgework, complemented by gold-plated gears and accents that lend a warm glow against the steel.
The watch is housed in a sandblasted titanium case with a smooth, matching bezel for a uniform finish. The standout gold-plated crown offers a bold contrast, tying in with the warm tones of the movement within. Completing the look is a perfectly paired navy blue leather strap, its rich color echoing the dial’s numerals for a cohesive and balanced presentation.
In 1921, the same year this movement was crafted, the first radio baseball broadcast aired in Pittsburgh, changing the way fans experienced America’s pastime. Much like that moment connected people to the game in a new way, this restored timepiece connects us to the craftsmanship and innovation of its own era.
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.
