Watch Description
What makes the Lancaster 096 unique:
The Lancaster 096 is a bold example of timeless design, where vintage charm meets modern craftsmanship. The dial features a silvery brushed-metal finish with a guilloché-patterned center, framed by a smooth chapter ring that draws the eye toward the raised gold numerals. These sharply defined numerals catch the light beautifully, shifting in tone depending on the angle—an effect that adds depth and movement to the dial. At the center, a pair of blued steel arrow hands provides a striking visual contrast, guiding the eye with precision. A sub-seconds dial sits at the 6 o’clock position, deeply recessed with crisp numerals and fine concentric detailing, offering both balance and function.
At its core, this piece houses an antique Hamilton movement with 17 jewels, crafted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1928. Through the exhibition caseback, you’ll find the bridges adorned with traditional Geneva stripes, gold-plated gears glinting between polished steel components, and a layout that reflects both mechanical precision and elegant design. This movement is more than just a mechanism—it’s a preserved artifact from America’s golden age of watchmaking.
We encased this historic movement in a sandblasted bronze case that will develop a natural patina over time, evolving uniquely with its wearer. The warm bronze tones echo the dial’s gold numerals, and the vertically grooved crown completes the case with a rugged yet refined edge. A deep brown American-made leather strap ties it all together, adding richness and structure to the overall presentation.
This watch’s movement was originally manufactured in 1931—the same year the Empire State Building was completed in New York City. Rising to a record-breaking 1,250 feet, it became a symbol of American resilience, ingenuity, and ambition during the height of the Great Depression. Like that towering achievement, The Lancaster 096 is a tribute to enduring American craftsmanship and the beauty of purposeful design.
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: 45mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 50mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Sandblasted Bronze
- Crown/Hardware: Bronze
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Hamilton Watch Company
- Serial Number: 3355004
- Manufacture Year: 1931
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Lancaster 096 unique:
The Lancaster 096 is a bold example of timeless design, where vintage charm meets modern craftsmanship. The dial features a silvery brushed-metal finish with a guilloché-patterned center, framed by a smooth chapter ring that draws the eye toward the raised gold numerals. These sharply defined numerals catch the light beautifully, shifting in tone depending on the angle—an effect that adds depth and movement to the dial. At the center, a pair of blued steel arrow hands provides a striking visual contrast, guiding the eye with precision. A sub-seconds dial sits at the 6 o’clock position, deeply recessed with crisp numerals and fine concentric detailing, offering both balance and function.
At its core, this piece houses an antique Hamilton movement with 17 jewels, crafted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1928. Through the exhibition caseback, you’ll find the bridges adorned with traditional Geneva stripes, gold-plated gears glinting between polished steel components, and a layout that reflects both mechanical precision and elegant design. This movement is more than just a mechanism—it’s a preserved artifact from America’s golden age of watchmaking.
We encased this historic movement in a sandblasted bronze case that will develop a natural patina over time, evolving uniquely with its wearer. The warm bronze tones echo the dial’s gold numerals, and the vertically grooved crown completes the case with a rugged yet refined edge. A deep brown American-made leather strap ties it all together, adding richness and structure to the overall presentation.
This watch’s movement was originally manufactured in 1931—the same year the Empire State Building was completed in New York City. Rising to a record-breaking 1,250 feet, it became a symbol of American resilience, ingenuity, and ambition during the height of the Great Depression. Like that towering achievement, The Lancaster 096 is a tribute to enduring American craftsmanship and the beauty of purposeful design.
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.
