Watch Description
What makes the Lancaster 078 unique: The Lancaster 078 is a striking blend of mid-century American craftsmanship and modern precision. At its heart lies a 1948 Hamilton Watch Company movement, meticulously restored to honor its rich history. The copper-tone dial commands attention with its warm, sunburst finish, while the luminous gold numerals and classic railroad minute track add depth and readability. Elegant heat-blued cathedral hands glide across the dial, ensuring a touch of vintage refinement. A small seconds subdial at six o’clock completes the composition, creating a timepiece that exudes both character and heritage.
Beneath its stunning exterior, the Lancaster 078 is powered by a 21-jewel manual-wind movement, originally crafted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania—a city once known as the epicenter of precision watchmaking in America. In 1948, as this movement was being produced, the nation witnessed the launch of the first Polaroid instant camera, revolutionizing the way people captured memories. Just as that innovation changed photography, Hamilton's commitment to precision and reliability helped shape the legacy of American horology.
Encased in machined stainless steel with a polished finish, this watch is built for both durability and sophistication. A robust, knurled crown allows for precise winding, while the American-made black leather strap provides a timeless pairing. With a seamless blend of historical significance and modern craftsmanship, the Lancaster 078 is more than a watch—it’s a tribute to a golden era of American innovation.
Movement Manufacturer Information
The movement inside of this watch was made by Hamilton Watch Company. We call this model "The Lancaster" because the company was located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Hamilton is named after famous Pennsylvanian Alexander Hamilton and is the result of multiple re-organizations of attempted watch companies in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1892, Hamilton had a reputation for superior quality and maintained half of the railroad watch market share during some of the most prolific years of American railroad history. During World War II, Hamilton was integral to the production of accurate timepieces for the Military. Deemed "the watch that won the war," the company established an employee-run newsletter so that employees turned soldiers could keep up with life at the factory. While the original factory still stands as luxury apartments, the company stopped producing watches in the US in 1969. Hamilton now produces watches in Switzerland and is owned by the Swatch Group.
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Watch Specifications
- Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
- Model Year: 2025
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 43mm
- Thickness: 10mm
- Lug to Lug: 50mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Machined Stainless Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Hamilton Watch Company
- Serial Number: H34367
- Manufacture Year: 1948
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 21 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 10s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Lancaster 078 unique: The Lancaster 078 is a striking blend of mid-century American craftsmanship and modern precision. At its heart lies a 1948 Hamilton Watch Company movement, meticulously restored to honor its rich history. The copper-tone dial commands attention with its warm, sunburst finish, while the luminous gold numerals and classic railroad minute track add depth and readability. Elegant heat-blued cathedral hands glide across the dial, ensuring a touch of vintage refinement. A small seconds subdial at six o’clock completes the composition, creating a timepiece that exudes both character and heritage.
Beneath its stunning exterior, the Lancaster 078 is powered by a 21-jewel manual-wind movement, originally crafted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania—a city once known as the epicenter of precision watchmaking in America. In 1948, as this movement was being produced, the nation witnessed the launch of the first Polaroid instant camera, revolutionizing the way people captured memories. Just as that innovation changed photography, Hamilton's commitment to precision and reliability helped shape the legacy of American horology.
Encased in machined stainless steel with a polished finish, this watch is built for both durability and sophistication. A robust, knurled crown allows for precise winding, while the American-made black leather strap provides a timeless pairing. With a seamless blend of historical significance and modern craftsmanship, the Lancaster 078 is more than a watch—it’s a tribute to a golden era of American innovation.
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.
