Watch Description
The Cleveland 040 is the 40th 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 040 Unique: We are elated to present this spectacular timepiece from the Ball Watch Company. We knew right away that our DLC case and black strap would be the perfect way to compliment this spectacularly designed dial. The incredibly intricate texture of this dial is a signature look from Ball and is something worth taking a second look at. These dark gothic style hands and numerals continue the theme and really let the small details in the dial stand out. The eye catching features continue on our open back design, to showcase this beautiful movement. A circular design all throughout the ¾ build plate has been delicately machined then inlaid with copper to accentuate the lettering. 19 screw-set jewels and rose gold gears add some flair, while this brass balance wheel and double roller escapement keep everything working together seamlessly. Webb C. Ball became obsessed with accuracy for his watches, and created a set of standards for all watches to be held to in order to maintain perfectly accurate time for railroad engineers. He personally oversaw 125,000 plus miles of tracks all across the United States. Most trains traveling across the country share the same tracks and have to cross each other at very specific times, making the pocket watch one of their most important tools. The phrase “On the Ball” is said to have derived from referencing the incredible accuracy of these ball watches, being the standard for all railroad engineers at the time.
1927
B402268
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.
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
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 47mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 55mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: DLC Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Nickel Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Ball Watch Company
- Serial Number:
- Manufacture Year:
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 19 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
The Cleveland 040 is the 40th 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 040 Unique: We are elated to present this spectacular timepiece from the Ball Watch Company. We knew right away that our DLC case and black strap would be the perfect way to compliment this spectacularly designed dial. The incredibly intricate texture of this dial is a signature look from Ball and is something worth taking a second look at. These dark gothic style hands and numerals continue the theme and really let the small details in the dial stand out. The eye catching features continue on our open back design, to showcase this beautiful movement. A circular design all throughout the ¾ build plate has been delicately machined then inlaid with copper to accentuate the lettering. 19 screw-set jewels and rose gold gears add some flair, while this brass balance wheel and double roller escapement keep everything working together seamlessly. Webb C. Ball became obsessed with accuracy for his watches, and created a set of standards for all watches to be held to in order to maintain perfectly accurate time for railroad engineers. He personally oversaw 125,000 plus miles of tracks all across the United States. Most trains traveling across the country share the same tracks and have to cross each other at very specific times, making the pocket watch one of their most important tools. The phrase “On the Ball” is said to have derived from referencing the incredible accuracy of these ball watches, being the standard for all railroad engineers at the time.
1927
B402268
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.
