Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 505 unique: Today, we’re pleased to showcase this sophisticated and sumptuous watch initially produced by the Elgin National Watch Company 101 years ago — the Chicago 505. This historic watch features a splendid single-sunk dial with stylish black numerals and gilt patterns across its pristine, white background. The front of the watch also features dark blue solid diamond kite hands and a second-keeping subdial. We paired this eye-catching pocket watch with our robust Sandblasted Titanium case and topped it off with a gold-plated crown, matching the dial’s elegant gilt details. On the back of the watch, you can view the piece’s 345-grade open-face movement with a quick train, going barrel, Moseley regulator, and Breguet hairspring. The watch’s movement also boasts gold-plated gears and 17 screw-set ruby and sapphire jewels throughout its ¾ plate. Finally, we made this unforgettable, one-of-a-kind pocket watch wearable with our artisan-designed Cordovan Black leather watch strap.The Elgin National Watch Company originally manufactured the Chicago 505’s pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1921. That same year, the first Sweetest Day was held in Cleveland, Ohio. Sweetest Day is a holiday observed across the midwest that emphasizes small acts of kindness. On the third Saturday of October every year, observers celebrate by giving away candy and greeting cards. The holiday was created by a committee of candy makers and other confectioners, and on the first Sweetest Day — October 10, 1921 — the committee gave out over 20,000 boxes of candy to underprivileged children and adults. If you’re reading this on October 15, 2022, then today is Sweetest Day, so go celebrate by giving your loved ones sweet treats and other small symbols of love and kindness.
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: 24272841
- Manufacture Year: 1921
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
The Elgin National Watch Company originally manufactured the Chicago 505’s pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1921. That same year, the first Sweetest Day was held in Cleveland, Ohio. Sweetest Day is a holiday observed across the midwest that emphasizes small acts of kindness. On the third Saturday of October every year, observers celebrate by giving away candy and greeting cards. The holiday was created by a committee of candy makers and other confectioners, and on the first Sweetest Day — October 10, 1921 — the committee gave out over 20,000 boxes of candy to underprivileged children and adults. If you’re reading this on October 15, 2022, then today is Sweetest Day, so go celebrate by giving your loved ones sweet treats and other small symbols of love and kindness.
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.
