Watch Description
What makes The Chicago Railroad 002 unique:
The Chicago Railroad 002 is defined by one of the most visually and historically significant railroad dials we encounter: an exceptionally rare Ferguson dial, preserved here in remarkable condition. The crisp white enamel surface is organized for absolute legibility, with a bold outer seconds chapter ring encircling the dial and large, hand-painted gothic-style Arabic numerals marking the hours. Red accents punctuate the seconds scale, reinforcing its railroad purpose, while the sunken sub-seconds register at 6 o’clock adds depth and balance to the layout. We retained the original vibrant red and black steel hands, which stands in striking contrast against the bright dial—both functional and unmistakably of its era.
Inside, this watch is powered by a 19-jewel lever-set Elgin movement, visible through the open caseback. The bridges are adorned with pristine scallop engraving, a decorative finish reserved for movements built to meet demanding railroad standards while still reflecting a high level of craftsmanship. Gold-plated gears, polished steel components, and finely finished jewel settings create a dynamic mechanical landscape, showcasing the precision and attention to detail that defined American railroad watch production in the early 20th century.
We housed this movement in a machined bronze railroad case with a bronze coin-edge bezel, a material choice that adds warmth and character while remaining true to the robust nature of traditional railroad timekeepers. Over time, the bronze will continue to develop a natural patina unique to the wearer. A vertically grooved bronze crown provides secure grip for setting and winding, and the watch is finished with a natural leather strap that complements the bronze tones and reinforces the watch’s purposeful, historically grounded aesthetic.
The original Elgin movement inside this watch was manufactured in 1911, the same year Grand Central Terminal officially opened in New York City. That moment marked a turning point in American railroad history, as precise timekeeping became critical to coordinating the growing complexity of rail networks converging in major hubs. The Chicago Railroad 002 reflects that era exactly—a watch built for clarity, reliability, and accountability, now preserved on the wrist as a lasting artifact of America’s railroad age.
Note: This watch features a lever-set, railroad grade pocket watch. To set the time, the whole front of the watch must be removed, exposing the dial and hands. Please feel free to contact us with questions before making your purchase. We are here to help!
Watch this video on YouTube to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lNisquLqtc
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
- Model Year: 2024
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Diameter: 49mm
- Case Material: Machined Bronze
- Crown/Hardware: Bronze
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Domed Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: 24mm Leather Strap in Natural with Bronze Buckle
Movement
- Manufacturer: Elgin Watch Company
- Serial Number: 15291803
- Manufacture Year: 1911
- Function: Manual Wind, Lever-Set
- Jewels: 19 Jewels
- Hands: Original Steel Hands
- Size: 16s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes The Chicago Railroad 002 unique:
The Chicago Railroad 002 is defined by one of the most visually and historically significant railroad dials we encounter: an exceptionally rare Ferguson dial, preserved here in remarkable condition. The crisp white enamel surface is organized for absolute legibility, with a bold outer seconds chapter ring encircling the dial and large, hand-painted gothic-style Arabic numerals marking the hours. Red accents punctuate the seconds scale, reinforcing its railroad purpose, while the sunken sub-seconds register at 6 o’clock adds depth and balance to the layout. We retained the original vibrant red and black steel hands, which stands in striking contrast against the bright dial—both functional and unmistakably of its era.
Inside, this watch is powered by a 19-jewel lever-set Elgin movement, visible through the open caseback. The bridges are adorned with pristine scallop engraving, a decorative finish reserved for movements built to meet demanding railroad standards while still reflecting a high level of craftsmanship. Gold-plated gears, polished steel components, and finely finished jewel settings create a dynamic mechanical landscape, showcasing the precision and attention to detail that defined American railroad watch production in the early 20th century.
We housed this movement in a machined bronze railroad case with a bronze coin-edge bezel, a material choice that adds warmth and character while remaining true to the robust nature of traditional railroad timekeepers. Over time, the bronze will continue to develop a natural patina unique to the wearer. A vertically grooved bronze crown provides secure grip for setting and winding, and the watch is finished with a natural leather strap that complements the bronze tones and reinforces the watch’s purposeful, historically grounded aesthetic.
The original Elgin movement inside this watch was manufactured in 1911, the same year Grand Central Terminal officially opened in New York City. That moment marked a turning point in American railroad history, as precise timekeeping became critical to coordinating the growing complexity of rail networks converging in major hubs. The Chicago Railroad 002 reflects that era exactly—a watch built for clarity, reliability, and accountability, now preserved on the wrist as a lasting artifact of America’s railroad age.
Note: This watch features a lever-set, railroad grade pocket watch. To set the time, the whole front of the watch must be removed, exposing the dial and hands. Please feel free to contact us with questions before making your purchase. We are here to help!
Watch this video on YouTube to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lNisquLqtc
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.
