Watch Description
What makes the Lancaster 097 unique:
The Lancaster 097 is a stunning expression of character and time, featuring a dial that immediately commands attention. What sets this piece apart is the beautifully aged, speckled patina that dances across the surface—a visual testament to its 95-year journey. The dial’s bold, stylized numerals and well-defined minute track offer strong contrast and readability, while the blued steel open kite hands add elegance and precision. This rare blend of texture and color transforms a simple time display into a striking focal point.
At the heart of this watch is an antique Hamilton movement, crafted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1928. The bridges are adorned with delicate striping, and gold-plated gears peek through the layered construction with warmth and brilliance. These subtle flourishes are a hallmark of early American watchmaking—where form and function were equally considered. Every glance through the exhibition caseback reveals mechanical harmony and enduring craftsmanship.
We encased this historic movement in a lightweight machined titanium case that offers durability without bulk. The smooth bezel keeps the focus on the richly textured dial, while the knurled crown adds a tactile, functional edge. A rich blue leather strap mirrors the hue of the hands and grounds the build with a cohesive, refined palette.
This movement was originally manufactured in 1928—the same year the first fully synchronized traffic lights were installed in New York City, revolutionizing urban travel and modern city planning. Much like that innovation, this timepiece represents precision, clarity, and smart design—all still working perfectly, nearly a century later.
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: Machined Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Titanium
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Hamilton Watch Company
- Serial Number: 3294342
- Manufacture Year: 1928
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
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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.
