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The American mechanism inside this watch is not a replica or an "inspired" piece. It was genuinely carried by an individual, 100 years ago, that depended on it. Each time you wear this watch, you will be transported through time, imagining who this individual was and the work they did to help build our country. Simply put, American Artisan Series watches make you feel something when you put them on. At Vortic, we tell customers that owning a watch isn't nearly as important as owning a story. And, this is an opportunity to be a part of a story that is bigger than yourself. You won't be the first to own this watch, and you certainly won't be the last, so make your chapter count.
The American Artisan Series is a line of fully American Made wristwatches powered by restored, U.S. made pocket watch movements. Individuals commonly scrap pocket watch cases for their precious metal, leaving the original mechanism orphaned. This watch contains the original movement (timepiece), dial (face), and hands from a vintage (1880's - 1950's) pocket watch made by Ball Watch Company. We call this model "The Cleveland" because the company was located within the Cleveland city limits.
The Cleveland 008 is the 8th one-of-a-kind piece in Vortic's "Cleveland" line of the American Artisan Series. This watch contains the original movement (timepiece), dial (face), and hands from a vintage (1880’s – 1950’s) pocket watch. The American Artisan Series is a line of fully American Made wristwatches powered by restored, U.S. made pocket watch movements.
What makes the Cleveland 008 Unique: Today we bring you this wonderfully designed piece from the Ball Watch Company. When we first found this watch we knew we had something truly special, and wanted to give it new life in the best way we know how. This dial features an exquisite sunburst design, accentuated by brilliant gold numerals, minute indicators, and kite-style hands. We carried along the gold theme with a gold-plated crown and hardware throughout. We set the movement in our black DLC case and finished it off with our oxblood cordovan strap. A truly high-class watch that is guaranteed to turn some heads no matter the occasion. This ¾ bridge plate design shape is unique to Ball, and we love the details and machined patterns that are carried throughout. Rose gold gears turn on 19 screw-set jewels, with stainless steel hardware as well as a brass balance wheel. This watch was contract built for Ball by the Illinois Watch Company in Springfield, Illinois in 1926 in a very short run of only 8,000 watches. This is the same year that the National Numbered Highway System is initiated, creating the world-famous Route 66 which actually runs right through Springfield, Illinois.
1926
B403229
Case Style:Machined Titanium cases have been CNC milled from a solid block of aerospace grade titanium. Titanium is the ultimate material for strength to weight ratio. A DLC or "Diamond Like Carbon" coating is then applied to the case to create a uniquely black finish. While in the family of PVD coatings, DLC provides a small amount of transparency that allows us to see machine marks and surface detail while still appearing black. This coating is extremely durable and represents the best we have to offer.
Movement: The manually wound, antique, pocket watch movement inside this watch has been meticulously restored to as close to original condition as possible. Vortic has an exclusive group of highly experienced watchmakers that specialize in vintage watches. Before its use in a wristwatch, each movement is completely disassembled, cleaned, oiled, and calibrated. Each finished Vortic watch is tested for at least a week before completion.
This watch's movement is serial number from the Ball Watch Company. 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.
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: 2021
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
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Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 46mm
- Height: 12mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 55mm
- Lugs: 22mm
- Case Finish: DLC Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Gold Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Gorilla Glass
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Ball Watch Company
- Serial Number:
- Manufacture Year:
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 19j
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours




The Cleveland 008 is the 8th one-of-a-kind piece in Vortic's "Cleveland" line of the American Artisan Series. This watch contains the original movement (timepiece), dial (face), and hands from a vintage (1880’s – 1950’s) pocket watch. The American Artisan Series is a line of fully American Made wristwatches powered by restored, U.S. made pocket watch movements.
What makes the Cleveland 008 Unique: Today we bring you this wonderfully designed piece from the Ball Watch Company. When we first found this watch we knew we had something truly special, and wanted to give it new life in the best way we know how. This dial features an exquisite sunburst design, accentuated by brilliant gold numerals, minute indicators, and kite-style hands. We carried along the gold theme with a gold-plated crown and hardware throughout. We set the movement in our black DLC case and finished it off with our oxblood cordovan strap. A truly high-class watch that is guaranteed to turn some heads no matter the occasion. This ¾ bridge plate design shape is unique to Ball, and we love the details and machined patterns that are carried throughout. Rose gold gears turn on 19 screw-set jewels, with stainless steel hardware as well as a brass balance wheel. This watch was contract built for Ball by the Illinois Watch Company in Springfield, Illinois in 1926 in a very short run of only 8,000 watches. This is the same year that the National Numbered Highway System is initiated, creating the world-famous Route 66 which actually runs right through Springfield, Illinois.
1926
B403229

Quality Straps
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.
Mission
Our mission is to preserve and enhance the legacy of manufacturing excellence in America. We believe that this legacy is highly relevant in the world of watch manufacturing because our goal is to marry form and function in a way that makes something beautiful that will last forever. American made pocket watches were of such a high quality and decoration that they evolved into more than just a way to tell time. They became traditional heirlooms to be inherited by future generations as a wedding gift or a coming of age treasure. Each piece tells a lively tale of what U.S. manufacturing meant in the past using an intricate language of decorated bridges, plates, gears, and springs. Today, we are restoring these pieces to their former glory and making them relevant again using the best of modern technology.


American Made
We feel proud and blessed to live in the country, state, and city that we do. However, our motivation to build everything in the United States, and to deal locally whenever possible, is derived from a different source of inspiration. We believe that the close relationships, face-to-face interaction, and tight quality control we achieve while dealing domestically produces a truly superior product. Because of this, we are very transparent about where our components are made as we continue to build our in-house capabilities.