The Chicago 511 (47mm)
319 reviews

The Chicago 511 (47mm)

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The Chicago 511 (47mm)
The Chicago 511 (47mm)
The Chicago 511 (47mm)
The Chicago 511 (47mm)
The Chicago 511 (47mm)
The Chicago 511 (47mm)
The Chicago 511 (47mm)
The Chicago 511 (47mm)
The Chicago 511 (47mm)
The Chicago 511 (47mm)

Watch Description

What makes the Chicago 511 unique: We’re excited to showcase this splendid watch that boasts an antique pocket movement dating back all the way to 1912 — the Chicago 511. The Elgin National Watch Company originally produced the Chicago 511’s pocket watch, and it features an immaculate cream-colored, single-sunk dial, bold, black hour numerals, and dark-red minute numerals. The front of the watch also displays stunning blued steel spade & whip watch hands and a helpful subdial that matches the rest of the watch’s face. We paired this sophisticated pocket watch with our robust Sandblasted Titanium case and topped it off with a nickel-plated crown. On the rear side of the watch, you can view its breathtaking 345-grade open-face movement with a Going barrel, Quick train, Moseley regulator, and Breguet hairspring. This historic piece also boasts 17 ruby and sapphire screw-set jewels throughout the movement’s ¾ plate, which help the movement’s gold-plated gears spin freely. Finally, we matched this one-of-a-kind watch with our high-quality Stone leather watch strap. The strap’s gray tone perfectly complements the watch’s understated yet stunning color scheme.

The Elgin National Watch Company initially manufactured our wristwatch’s breathtaking pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1912 — the same year that Adolph Zukor founded the predecessor of Paramount Pictures: the Famous Players Film Company. The company was only open for four years before merging with the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company, but during those four years, they released the first film adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo as well as the notable French film Les Amours de la Reine Élisabeth (The Loves of Queen Elizabeth). In 1916, the company merged with producer Jesse L. Lasky’s company to become the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. The company’s most noteworthy film was the 1927 World War I motion picture Wings, which won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Picture. Six years later in 1933, the company became Paramount Pictures.

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.

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: 16473862
  • Manufacture Year: 1912
  • Function: Manual Wind
  • Jewels: 17 Jewels
  • Hands: Original
  • Size: 12s
  • Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Chicago 511 unique: We’re excited to showcase this splendid watch that boasts an antique pocket movement dating back all the way to 1912 — the Chicago 511. The Elgin National Watch Company originally produced the Chicago 511’s pocket watch, and it features an immaculate cream-colored, single-sunk dial, bold, black hour numerals, and dark-red minute numerals. The front of the watch also displays stunning blued steel spade & whip watch hands and a helpful subdial that matches the rest of the watch’s face. We paired this sophisticated pocket watch with our robust Sandblasted Titanium case and topped it off with a nickel-plated crown. On the rear side of the watch, you can view its breathtaking 345-grade open-face movement with a Going barrel, Quick train, Moseley regulator, and Breguet hairspring. This historic piece also boasts 17 ruby and sapphire screw-set jewels throughout the movement’s ¾ plate, which help the movement’s gold-plated gears spin freely. Finally, we matched this one-of-a-kind watch with our high-quality Stone leather watch strap. The strap’s gray tone perfectly complements the watch’s understated yet stunning color scheme.

The Elgin National Watch Company initially manufactured our wristwatch’s breathtaking pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1912 — the same year that Adolph Zukor founded the predecessor of Paramount Pictures: the Famous Players Film Company. The company was only open for four years before merging with the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company, but during those four years, they released the first film adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo as well as the notable French film Les Amours de la Reine Élisabeth (The Loves of Queen Elizabeth). In 1916, the company merged with producer Jesse L. Lasky’s company to become the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. The company’s most noteworthy film was the 1927 World War I motion picture Wings, which won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Picture. Six years later in 1933, the company became Paramount Pictures.

The Movement

The Story

The Strap

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