Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 446 unique: Today we are very excited to present to you this amazing timepiece from Elgin, our Chicago 446. We are always amazed at how much each and every one of these antique watches differ and the unique ways that they stand out from others like it. We would love to have a short story of the different events in time that have transformed this special watch and given it this incredible look and shape of the face. We love the different tones of this double sunk dial that bring attention to the intricate lines machined around the outside, with these blued-steel hands that stand out and contrast nicely. We went with our crimson strap and copper crown to pair with the different colors of the dial and are incredibly impressed with the overall look and feel of this watch. As we turn this watch over to expect some similar amount of wear and age, we are taken aback by the pristine condition of this movement. The nickel-plated build plates shine brightly, accented by stainless steel hardware throughout. This watch was originally manufactured in Elgin, Illinois in 1923 by the Elgin National Watch Company. On January 31 of this same year, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Hamilton Tigers 5-4. The score is not necessarily the surprising factor of this game, more impressive is that it was the very first penalty-free game played in NHL history.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
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 47mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 55mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Machined Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Copper
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 25792788
- Manufacture Year: 1923
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
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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.
