Watch Description
What makes the Lancaster 109 unique:
The Lancaster 109 presents a rare opportunity to own one of the few 10size watches we’ve ever built—something collectors ask for constantly but we almost never produce. Its tan-toned dial carries a quiet elegance, framed by applied gold numerals in a sharply pointed style that gives the watch an assertive, vintage character. Each numeral stands in crisp relief against the background, with the 2 o’clock numeral bearing a subtle slice—an honest mark of its history. The recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock features a finely textured surface and railroad-style track, adding both depth and legibility. Surrounding it all is a precise minute track that reinforces the watch’s symmetry, while a pair of slim, whip-style hands sweep cleanly above the display.
At the heart of this timepiece is a 17-jewel Hamilton 917 movement, manufactured in 1940 and beautifully preserved. Viewed through the open caseback, its Geneva-striped bridgework, polished steel components, and gold-plated gears create a dynamic interplay of color and finish. The 10size movement is both a technical rarity and a visual delight, offering a glimpse into a chapter of Hamilton’s history that was produced in far smaller numbers than their full-size counterparts.
We’ve housed this movement in a machined stainless steel case, paired with a smooth machined steel bezel for a clean, balanced silhouette. A vertically grooved steel crown offers secure grip and period-appropriate styling, while the slim profile of the case complements the smaller movement within. The cognac leather strap, with its warm tones and sturdy build, completes the aesthetic, offering both comfort and a visual link to the watch’s mid-century origins.
In 1940, Hamilton Watch Company shifted much of its production toward military timepieces, preparing to supply the U.S. Armed Forces in the years leading up to America’s entry into World War II. This strategic pivot not only cemented Hamilton’s reputation for precision under pressure but also marked the beginning of its storied wartime contributions, making each civilian piece from this era an even rarer survivor.
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.
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: 2025
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 43mm
- Thickness: 10mm
- Lug to Lug: 50mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Machined Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Hamilton Watch Company
- Serial Number: X65294
- Manufacture Year: 1940
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 10s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Lancaster 109 unique:
The Lancaster 109 presents a rare opportunity to own one of the few 10size watches we’ve ever built—something collectors ask for constantly but we almost never produce. Its tan-toned dial carries a quiet elegance, framed by applied gold numerals in a sharply pointed style that gives the watch an assertive, vintage character. Each numeral stands in crisp relief against the background, with the 2 o’clock numeral bearing a subtle slice—an honest mark of its history. The recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock features a finely textured surface and railroad-style track, adding both depth and legibility. Surrounding it all is a precise minute track that reinforces the watch’s symmetry, while a pair of slim, whip-style hands sweep cleanly above the display.
At the heart of this timepiece is a 17-jewel Hamilton 917 movement, manufactured in 1940 and beautifully preserved. Viewed through the open caseback, its Geneva-striped bridgework, polished steel components, and gold-plated gears create a dynamic interplay of color and finish. The 10size movement is both a technical rarity and a visual delight, offering a glimpse into a chapter of Hamilton’s history that was produced in far smaller numbers than their full-size counterparts.
We’ve housed this movement in a machined stainless steel case, paired with a smooth machined steel bezel for a clean, balanced silhouette. A vertically grooved steel crown offers secure grip and period-appropriate styling, while the slim profile of the case complements the smaller movement within. The cognac leather strap, with its warm tones and sturdy build, completes the aesthetic, offering both comfort and a visual link to the watch’s mid-century origins.
In 1940, Hamilton Watch Company shifted much of its production toward military timepieces, preparing to supply the U.S. Armed Forces in the years leading up to America’s entry into World War II. This strategic pivot not only cemented Hamilton’s reputation for precision under pressure but also marked the beginning of its storied wartime contributions, making each civilian piece from this era an even rarer survivor.
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.
