Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 499 unique: We’re delighted to present to you this breathtaking antique pocket watch that was originally manufactured by the Elgin National Watch Company over 120 years ago — the Chicago 499. This remarkable watch comes with a white, single-sunk dial with stylish black numerals and matching markings that read “John Wanamaker. Phila-New York,” referring to the Former United States Postmaster General and his now-defunct department store Wanamaker’s, which was one of the first department stores in the United States. The watch’s impressive dial boasts blued steel spade watch hands and a helpful matching subdial. We encased this stunning pocket watch within our robust, glimmering Bronzed Titanium case and topped it off with a copper crown. On the back of the watch, you can see its 193-grade open-face movement with a Breguet hairspring, Moseley regulator, Jeweled Safety barrel, and Quick train. You can also see its beautiful golden engravings that echo the dial’s markings, “John Wanamaker” and “Phila-New York.” This remarkable movement features gold-plated gears and 19 screw-set ruby jewels with raised gold setting throughout its 3/4 plate. Finally, we matched this one-of-a-kind piece of history with our comfortable natural leather watch strap.The Elgin National Watch Company initially produced the pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1899 — the same year that the Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company Building was built at the corner of East Madison Street in Chicago. Today, the building is called the Sullivan Center. Since its construction, various retailers have sold goods from the location, and the building is considered part of the Loop Retail Historic District. In 1970, the building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, and five years later, it became a U.S. National Historic Landmark.
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: Copper
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 7498508
- Manufacture Year: 1899
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 19 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
The Elgin National Watch Company initially produced the pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1899 — the same year that the Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company Building was built at the corner of East Madison Street in Chicago. Today, the building is called the Sullivan Center. Since its construction, various retailers have sold goods from the location, and the building is considered part of the Loop Retail Historic District. In 1970, the building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, and five years later, it became a U.S. National Historic Landmark.
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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.
