Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 517 unique: Today, we’re excited to showcase this splendid watch that was initially released by the Elgin National Watch Company a century ago — the Chicago 517. This watch features a single-sunk, gold-colored dial with stunning blued-steel solid diamond kite watch hands and a handsome center design. The front of the watch also features stylish black numerals with transparent drop shadows and a glimmering subdial. We matched this impressive pocket watch with our robust Bronzed Titanium case and topped it off with a gold-plated crown, making the product even more distinct and eye-catching. Our Bronzed Titanium case boasts a transparent back, allowing you to view the pocket watch’s original 345-grade open-face movement with 17 screw-set ruby & sapphire jewels as well as its gold-plated gears. The movement is also made up of notable details, including its Going barrel, Moseley regulator, Breguet hairspring, and ¾ plate. Finally, we tied the piece together with our comfortable Cordovan Oxblood leather watch strap.The Elgin National Watch Company originally manufactured the Chicago 517’s pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1922 — the same year that Perfect Pictures released The Power of Love, the first three-dimensional film. The way in which filmmakers achieved the three-dimensional effect was by using a red-and-green anaglyph system. Because the film was silent, the audience could view two different endings depending on which lens they looked through at the conclusion of the film. Unfortunately, the 3D version of the film was only screened once and is now considered lost, meaning the film’s prints aren’t part of any collection and cannot be found. The 2D version of the film was renamed Forbidden Lover and was re-released in 1923, but that version is also now lost.
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: Machined Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Gold Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 24765403
- Manufacture Year: 1922
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
The Elgin National Watch Company originally manufactured the Chicago 517’s pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1922 — the same year that Perfect Pictures released The Power of Love, the first three-dimensional film. The way in which filmmakers achieved the three-dimensional effect was by using a red-and-green anaglyph system. Because the film was silent, the audience could view two different endings depending on which lens they looked through at the conclusion of the film. Unfortunately, the 3D version of the film was only screened once and is now considered lost, meaning the film’s prints aren’t part of any collection and cannot be found. The 2D version of the film was renamed Forbidden Lover and was re-released in 1923, but that version is also now lost.
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.
