Watch Description
What Makes the Lancaster 097 Unique:
The Lancaster 097 presents a refined balance of warmth and restraint, defined by a softly aged dial that carries an even, antique patina developed over nearly a century. Gold-plated Arabic numerals rise cleanly from the surface, their tone echoed by the matching gold-plated hands that sweep smoothly across the dial. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock maintains traditional symmetry, its crisp markings providing contrast against the dial’s gentle wear. The overall layout feels calm and composed, with each element contributing to a timeless, understated aesthetic.
At the heart of this watch is a 23-jewel Hamilton movement manufactured in 1928. Through the open caseback, the movement reveals finely executed Geneva stripes across the bridges, polished steel components, and gold-plated gears that catch the light as the balance oscillates. The higher jewel count reflects Hamilton’s focus on durability and precision during this period, and the finishing speaks to the level of care given to movements intended for dependable, long-term use. Hamilton did not manufacture many 23 jewel movements in this size, and very few were signed “Masterpiece,” making this particular movement extraordinarily rare.
The watch is housed in our Version 2 titanium case, finished with a soft sandblasted texture that offers a modern counterpoint to the warm tones of the dial. A smooth sandblasted titanium bezel frames the watch without distraction, allowing the dial to remain the focal point. The round, gold-plated crown adds a subtle accent while providing a tactile, comfortable winding experience. Completing the piece is a cognac-toned leather strap paired with a gold-plated buckle, reinforcing the cohesive warmth of the overall design.
In 1928, the same year this Hamilton movement was produced, American aviation reached a pivotal milestone when Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight. That achievement reflected a broader era of American confidence in engineering, precision, and reliability—values that guided both aviation and watchmaking during the late 1920s. The Lancaster 097 carries that spirit forward, preserving a movement born in a time when accuracy and trust in mechanical craftsmanship mattered more than ever.
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: 2024
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Diameter: 47mm
- Case Material: Sandblasted Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Titanium
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Titanium
- Strap: 22mm Cognac Leather by Hadley Roma with Gold Plated Buckle
Movement
- Manufacturer: Hamilton Watch Company
- Serial Number: 3012046
- Manufacture Year: 1928
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 23 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What Makes the Lancaster 097 Unique:
The Lancaster 097 presents a refined balance of warmth and restraint, defined by a softly aged dial that carries an even, antique patina developed over nearly a century. Gold-plated Arabic numerals rise cleanly from the surface, their tone echoed by the matching gold-plated hands that sweep smoothly across the dial. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock maintains traditional symmetry, its crisp markings providing contrast against the dial’s gentle wear. The overall layout feels calm and composed, with each element contributing to a timeless, understated aesthetic.
At the heart of this watch is a 23-jewel Hamilton movement manufactured in 1928. Through the open caseback, the movement reveals finely executed Geneva stripes across the bridges, polished steel components, and gold-plated gears that catch the light as the balance oscillates. The higher jewel count reflects Hamilton’s focus on durability and precision during this period, and the finishing speaks to the level of care given to movements intended for dependable, long-term use. Hamilton did not manufacture many 23 jewel movements in this size, and very few were signed “Masterpiece,” making this particular movement extraordinarily rare.
The watch is housed in our Version 2 titanium case, finished with a soft sandblasted texture that offers a modern counterpoint to the warm tones of the dial. A smooth sandblasted titanium bezel frames the watch without distraction, allowing the dial to remain the focal point. The round, gold-plated crown adds a subtle accent while providing a tactile, comfortable winding experience. Completing the piece is a cognac-toned leather strap paired with a gold-plated buckle, reinforcing the cohesive warmth of the overall design.
In 1928, the same year this Hamilton movement was produced, American aviation reached a pivotal milestone when Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight. That achievement reflected a broader era of American confidence in engineering, precision, and reliability—values that guided both aviation and watchmaking during the late 1920s. The Lancaster 097 carries that spirit forward, preserving a movement born in a time when accuracy and trust in mechanical craftsmanship mattered more than ever.
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.
