Watch Description
What makes the Lancaster 156 unique:
The Lancaster 156 is a compelling study in contrast and craftsmanship, anchored by a dial that exudes both vintage warmth and enduring precision. The parchment-toned background has developed a rich, speckled patina over time, highlighting its age and authenticity. Black numerals with a soft flared serif form a ring around the outer dial, each one bold yet delicately shaped. The inner arch features a scrolling engraved pattern—ornamental without being overwhelming—that adds dimension and draws the eye toward the center. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock continues this layered design language, framed by concentric rings and thin black numerals that echo the classic railroad-style minute markers around the edge.
Floating above the display is a striking pair of purple-steeled diamond kite hands, their deep hue catching the light and adding dramatic contrast to the dial’s warmth. These hands bring a sharp elegance to the softer textures of the face, striking a perfect balance between function and flair.
Inside, this timepiece is powered by a 17-jewel Hamilton movement manufactured in 1930. The movement remains remarkably clean and is visible through the open caseback, revealing light Geneva stripes across the bridges, polished screws, and a golden gear train. “Lancaster, PA” is proudly engraved into the plate, a reminder of the watch’s origin in one of America’s most storied centers of horology. As a Version 2 in our American Artisan Series, this watch combines historical integrity with modern craftsmanship.
The case is crafted from machined titanium, paired with a matching smooth bezel and a round gold-plated crown for a two-tone effect. The watch is completed with a camel-toned leather strap, adding warmth that complements the dial and ties the entire piece together with vintage cohesion.
In 1930, Congress approved the Boulder Dam Project—later known as the Hoover Dam—marking the start of one of the most ambitious engineering efforts in U.S. history. This massive public works project would become a symbol of American innovation and perseverance, reflecting the same spirit of excellence found in the craftsmanship of early 20th-century watchmaking.
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: 2022
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 47mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 55mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Machined Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Gold Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Hamilton Watch Company
- Serial Number: 3331889
- Manufacture Year: 1930
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Lancaster 156 unique:
The Lancaster 156 is a compelling study in contrast and craftsmanship, anchored by a dial that exudes both vintage warmth and enduring precision. The parchment-toned background has developed a rich, speckled patina over time, highlighting its age and authenticity. Black numerals with a soft flared serif form a ring around the outer dial, each one bold yet delicately shaped. The inner arch features a scrolling engraved pattern—ornamental without being overwhelming—that adds dimension and draws the eye toward the center. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock continues this layered design language, framed by concentric rings and thin black numerals that echo the classic railroad-style minute markers around the edge.
Floating above the display is a striking pair of purple-steeled diamond kite hands, their deep hue catching the light and adding dramatic contrast to the dial’s warmth. These hands bring a sharp elegance to the softer textures of the face, striking a perfect balance between function and flair.
Inside, this timepiece is powered by a 17-jewel Hamilton movement manufactured in 1930. The movement remains remarkably clean and is visible through the open caseback, revealing light Geneva stripes across the bridges, polished screws, and a golden gear train. “Lancaster, PA” is proudly engraved into the plate, a reminder of the watch’s origin in one of America’s most storied centers of horology. As a Version 2 in our American Artisan Series, this watch combines historical integrity with modern craftsmanship.
The case is crafted from machined titanium, paired with a matching smooth bezel and a round gold-plated crown for a two-tone effect. The watch is completed with a camel-toned leather strap, adding warmth that complements the dial and ties the entire piece together with vintage cohesion.
In 1930, Congress approved the Boulder Dam Project—later known as the Hoover Dam—marking the start of one of the most ambitious engineering efforts in U.S. history. This massive public works project would become a symbol of American innovation and perseverance, reflecting the same spirit of excellence found in the craftsmanship of early 20th-century watchmaking.
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.
