Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 448 unique: For today’s watch of the day we are happy to present this wonderful timepiece from the Elgin National Watch Company, our Chicago 448. We love the small details in the center of the dial, with this incredible craftsmanship displayed to carry your eye around the entirety of the face. We find it interesting to not see the Elgin insignia displayed here, which gives this watch a simple clean look that we really enjoy. We cased this watch in machined titanium which helps the details of the dial and our gold-plated crown really pop. As we turn this watch over to display the movement within, we immediately are drawn to the subtle aging patina that has grown on this watch over the years of its long life. Adorned by 17 screw-set jewels in these brass raised settings, to pair nicely with the gold-plated gears beneath. Powered by a Moseley regulator and brass balance wheel as well. This watch was originally produced in Elgin, Illinois in 1922. The Irish Civil War began in June of this year, the result of the Irish people attempting to gain their independence from the British Empire. The conflict lasted all the way until May of 1923.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
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 47mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 55mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Machined Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Gold Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 24364057
- Manufacture Year: 1922
- 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.
