Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 480 unique: Today, we’re pleased to showcase this exquisite piece initially produced by the Elgin National Watch Company — the Chicago 480. The timepiece presents a sophisticated dial with an intricate center design and cream-colored background. The dial also boasts stylish black numerals and blue solid diamond kite hands that glimmer vividly. We matched the original pocket with our robust Machined Titanium case and nickel-plated crown, which draw further attention to the piece’s antique dial. The back of the watch features a 345-grade open-face movement with a quick train, Moseley regulator, and Breguet hairspring. The pocket watch also presents remarkable gold-plated gears powered by 17 screw-set ruby and sapphire jewels throughout its ¾ plate. To top it off, we equipped this historic watch with our comfortable and stylish Cordovan Black leather watch strap, adding even more elegance to the final product. The Elgin National Watch Company originally manufactured the Chicago 480’s pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1925 — the same year as the serum run to Nome, also known as the Great Race of Mercy. Twenty mushers (dog sledders) and 150 sled dogs delivered diphtheria antitoxin to Nome, Alaska, and other communities, preventing diphtheria outbreaks. Diphtheria is an infectious disease that causes severe swelling, fever, and a barking cough. The fatality rate is 5%-10%, but those under the age of five and older than 40 have a fatality rate of up to 20%. The famous Siberian Husky Balto led the final leg of the serum run to Nom. Today, Balto’s remains reside at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and he has a statue in Central Park, New York City.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: Sandblasted Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Nickel Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 27866608
- Manufacture Year: 1925
- 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.
