Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 506 unique: Today, we’re thrilled to present to you this stunning watch initially produced by the Elgin National Watch Company over a century ago — the Chicago 506. This antique pocket watch movement features a highly unique dial with a classic Mobil logo from 81 years before the company merged with Exxon. The front of the watch also features stylish black numerals with transparent drop shadows and blued steel solid diamond kite watch hands that look exceptional against its light background. We encased this sophisticated pocket watch within our powerful Sandblasted Titanium case and equipped it with a glimmering nickel-plated crown. On the watch’s rear side, you can see its breathtaking 345-grade open-face movement with a Moseley regulator, Breguet hairspring, quick train, and going barrel. You can also view the pocket watch’s remarkable gold-plated gears and 17 ruby and sapphire jewels throughout its ¾ plate. Finally, we topped this one-of-a-kind watch with our hand-crafted and comfortable Olive leather watch strap.The Elgin National Watch Company originally manufactured the Chicago 506’s pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1918 — the same year that Congress passed the Standard Time Act — also called the Calder Act. The act was the first federal law that enforced standard time, and it also created daylight saving time.
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: Nickel Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 20905768
- Manufacture Year: 1918
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
The Elgin National Watch Company originally manufactured the Chicago 506’s pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1918 — the same year that Congress passed the Standard Time Act — also called the Calder Act. The act was the first federal law that enforced standard time, and it also created daylight saving time.
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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.
