Watch Description
What makes the Cleveland 007 unique:
The Cleveland 007 features a dial full of character, defined by a rare crosshatch texture that has softened with age and developed warm patina across the surface. Its custom numerals are unlike anything we have seen on a conversion, each one shaped with distinctive geometry that gives the dial a bold and unconventional presence. A clean ring of minute markers frames the layout, while the ornate sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock adds visual depth with its decorative detailing. We decided to lume the hands and minute markers, which glow reliably in low light and add functional balance to the richly textured and beautifully worn dial.
Inside, this watch is powered by a 19-jewel Ball movement manufactured in 1926. Through the open caseback, you can see the spiral engraving across the bridges, a pattern that shifts as light moves across it. Polished steel components and gold-toned gears complete the aesthetic, showcasing the craftsmanship and precision Ball was known for during the early 20th century.
We encased this movement in a stonewashed titanium case that brings a rugged and modern contrast to the aged dial. A sandblasted titanium coin-edge bezel frames the crystal with crisp texture, and the vertically grooved sandblasted-titanium crown completes the cohesive feel across the metal surfaces. The watch is paired with a navy leather strap that complements the cooler tones of the titanium and lets the dial remain the star of the design.
In 1926, the same year this movement was produced, the United States officially established Route 66, creating one of the most iconic highways in American history. This new roadway transformed long-distance travel and required reliable, synchronized timekeeping to support transportation and commerce. Ball’s reputation for precision fits directly into this moment in American manufacturing and infrastructure.
Movement Manufacturer Information
The movement inside of this watch was made by Ball Watch Company. We call this model "The Cleveland" because the company was located within the Cleveland city limits.
Founded by Webb C. Ball in 1891, Ball Watch Company's watches focused on the railroad industry and had a reputation for quality that was second to none. Mr. Ball famously invented and implemented a standard set of watch inspections and requirements to qualify a watch for use on the railroad at a time when timekeeping was paramount to safety. This was known as a "Standard" or "Railroad Grade" watch. The core of the manufacturing for these watches was performed by Hamilton and Waltham Watch Companies, but the adjustment, finishing, and testing performed by Ball set them ahead of the pack. One of the few companies still in existence, Ball now makes watches in Switzerland and is owned by Hong Kong group Asia Commercial Holdings Ltd.
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Watch Specifications
- Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
- Model Year: 2025
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 45mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 55mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Tumbled Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Titanium
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Ball Watch Company
- Serial Number: B402675
- Manufacture Year: 1926
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 19 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Cleveland 007 unique:
The Cleveland 007 features a dial full of character, defined by a rare crosshatch texture that has softened with age and developed warm patina across the surface. Its custom numerals are unlike anything we have seen on a conversion, each one shaped with distinctive geometry that gives the dial a bold and unconventional presence. A clean ring of minute markers frames the layout, while the ornate sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock adds visual depth with its decorative detailing. We decided to lume the hands and minute markers, which glow reliably in low light and add functional balance to the richly textured and beautifully worn dial.
Inside, this watch is powered by a 19-jewel Ball movement manufactured in 1926. Through the open caseback, you can see the spiral engraving across the bridges, a pattern that shifts as light moves across it. Polished steel components and gold-toned gears complete the aesthetic, showcasing the craftsmanship and precision Ball was known for during the early 20th century.
We encased this movement in a stonewashed titanium case that brings a rugged and modern contrast to the aged dial. A sandblasted titanium coin-edge bezel frames the crystal with crisp texture, and the vertically grooved sandblasted-titanium crown completes the cohesive feel across the metal surfaces. The watch is paired with a navy leather strap that complements the cooler tones of the titanium and lets the dial remain the star of the design.
In 1926, the same year this movement was produced, the United States officially established Route 66, creating one of the most iconic highways in American history. This new roadway transformed long-distance travel and required reliable, synchronized timekeeping to support transportation and commerce. Ball’s reputation for precision fits directly into this moment in American manufacturing and infrastructure.
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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.
