Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 498 unique: Today, we’re pleased to present to you this distinct and eye-catching antique that was originally produced by the Elgin National Watch Company in 1924 — the Chicago 498. The piece’s original pocket watch movement features an exquisite dial with a copper-colored background and textured center. This handsome watch also boasts stylish black numerals, blued steel solid diamond kite hands, and a matching subdial. We complemented the dial’s unique palette by encasing it within our Bronzed Titanium case and topped it off with a copper-plated crown. Our robust Bronzed Titanium case boasts a transparent back, enabling watch enthusiasts and horologists to view the historic pocket watch’s 345-grade open-face movement with a quick train, Moseley regulator, Breguet hairspring, and going barrel. The back of the watch also boasts gold-plated gears and 17 ruby and sapphire jewels throughout its ¾ plate. Finally, we matched this one-of-a-kind piece with our comfortable Rye leather watch strap, complementing the dial’s background.The Elgin National Watch Company initially manufactured this fine piece in Elgin, Illinois, in 1924 — the same year Donald “Deke” Slayton was born, one of America’s first astronauts. Slayton began his lengthy aeronautical career in 1941 while he was a senior in high school. When reports came in that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor, Slayton joined the U.S. Army Air Forces to serve in World War II. He flew an A-26 Invader bomber aircraft in seven combat missions as part of the Pacific theater against the Japanese. After World War II, Slayton used his GI Bill to study aeronautical engineering at the University of Minnesota. He then went on to serve in the Air National Guard and eventually became an Air Force test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base in California, where he tested the F-101, F-102, F-103, F-104, and F-105. In 1959, Deke was selected to be a part of NASA’s Project Mercury, but he was grounded due to a heart condition. Sixteen years later, in 1975, he served as the first pilot for the Apollo ASTP Docking Module. Ultimately, Slayton played a pivotal role at NASA in the early days of the Space Race against the USSR.
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: Sandblasted Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Gold Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 26129340
- Manufacture Year: 1924
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
The Elgin National Watch Company initially manufactured this fine piece in Elgin, Illinois, in 1924 — the same year Donald “Deke” Slayton was born, one of America’s first astronauts. Slayton began his lengthy aeronautical career in 1941 while he was a senior in high school. When reports came in that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor, Slayton joined the U.S. Army Air Forces to serve in World War II. He flew an A-26 Invader bomber aircraft in seven combat missions as part of the Pacific theater against the Japanese. After World War II, Slayton used his GI Bill to study aeronautical engineering at the University of Minnesota. He then went on to serve in the Air National Guard and eventually became an Air Force test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base in California, where he tested the F-101, F-102, F-103, F-104, and F-105. In 1959, Deke was selected to be a part of NASA’s Project Mercury, but he was grounded due to a heart condition. Sixteen years later, in 1975, he served as the first pilot for the Apollo ASTP Docking Module. Ultimately, Slayton played a pivotal role at NASA in the early days of the Space Race against the USSR.
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.
