Watch Description
What makes the Chicago 526 unique: Today we are incredibly excited to release this incredible watch originally built by the Elgin Watch Company, our Chicago 526. We knew right away when we saw this dial and unique hand combination, that a champagne titanium case and gold-plated crown would be the perfect look to compliment this watch. We continue to be stunned by the fine details of this watch as we turn it over, gold-plated gears shine through from beneath this large build plate, as well as the gold inlaid text of this "Lord Elgin" grade movement. The balance wheel is larger than we typically expect from a 12-size movement, and brings even more attention to itself with this gold-plated hairspring. Elgin didn't hold anything back when they built this beautiful watch and we wanted to do everything we could to continue their efforts.
This watch was originally manufactured in Elgin, Illinois in 1912 by the Elgin Watch Company. The sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912 is one of the most famous historical events of the twentieth century. On April 14th, the Titanic, the largest passenger steamship of its time, collided with an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York City. Despite the crew's attempts to save the ship, it eventually sank, resulting in the death of more than 1,500 passengers and crew members. The tragedy sparked a wave of public outrage, leading to improved safety regulations for ships and the establishment of the International Ice Patrol to monitor icebergs in the North Atlantic. The disaster also inspired numerous books, films, and songs, and continues to fascinate people to this day.
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: 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: 16311010
- Manufacture Year: 1912
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Chicago 526 unique: Today we are incredibly excited to release this incredible watch originally built by the Elgin Watch Company, our Chicago 526. We knew right away when we saw this dial and unique hand combination, that a champagne titanium case and gold-plated crown would be the perfect look to compliment this watch. We continue to be stunned by the fine details of this watch as we turn it over, gold-plated gears shine through from beneath this large build plate, as well as the gold inlaid text of this "Lord Elgin" grade movement. The balance wheel is larger than we typically expect from a 12-size movement, and brings even more attention to itself with this gold-plated hairspring. Elgin didn't hold anything back when they built this beautiful watch and we wanted to do everything we could to continue their efforts.
This watch was originally manufactured in Elgin, Illinois in 1912 by the Elgin Watch Company. The sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912 is one of the most famous historical events of the twentieth century. On April 14th, the Titanic, the largest passenger steamship of its time, collided with an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York City. Despite the crew's attempts to save the ship, it eventually sank, resulting in the death of more than 1,500 passengers and crew members. The tragedy sparked a wave of public outrage, leading to improved safety regulations for ships and the establishment of the International Ice Patrol to monitor icebergs in the North Atlantic. The disaster also inspired numerous books, films, and songs, and continues to fascinate people to this day.
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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.
