The Lancaster 168 (46mm)

The Lancaster 168 (46mm)

The Lancaster 168 (46mm)
The Lancaster 168 (46mm)
The Lancaster 168 (46mm)
The Lancaster 168 (46mm)
The Lancaster 168 (46mm)
The Lancaster 168 (46mm)
The Lancaster 168 (46mm)
The Lancaster 168 (46mm)
The Lancaster 168 (46mm)
The Lancaster 168 (46mm)

Watch Description

The American mechanism inside this watch is not a replica or an "inspired" piece. It was genuinely carried by an individual, 100 years ago, that depended on it. Each time you wear this watch, you will be transported through time, imagining who this individual was and the work they did to help build our country. Simply put, American Artisan Series watches make you feel something when you put them on. At Vortic, we tell customers that owning a watch isn't nearly as important as owning a story. And, this is an opportunity to be a part of a story that is bigger than yourself. You won't be the first to own this watch, and you certainly won't be the last, so make your chapter count.

The American Artisan Series is a line of fully American Made wristwatches powered by restored, U.S. made pocket watch movements. Individuals commonly scrap pocket watch cases for their precious metal, leaving the original mechanism orphaned. This watch contains the original movement (timepiece), dial (face), and hands from a vintage (1880's - 1950's) pocket watch made by Hamilton Watch Company. We call this model "The Lancaster" because the company was located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

What makes the Lancaster 168 unique: We’re delighted to feature this remarkable piece of history that boasts an antique pocket watch originally manufactured by the Hamilton Watch Company in 1925 — the Lancaster 168. This splendid watch features an aged dial with stylized black numerals that look exceptional against its rustic, light-copper-colored background. The front of this piece also displays stunning violet spade & whip watch hands and a useful subdial. We paired this exquisite pocket watch with our robust, glimmering Machined Titanium case and topped it off with a copper crown that complements the dial’s color palette. Our Machined Titanium case features a transparent back, showcasing the pocket watch’s 912-grade open-face movement with a double roller escapement, Reed regulator, and ¾ plate. The back of the piece also features 17 handsome screw-set jewels that compliment the movement’s luxurious-looking gold-plated gears. Finally, we matched this historic, one-of-a-kind watch with our comfortable, American-made Rye leather watch strap, further showcasing the watch’s highly original colors.

The Hamilton Watch Company produced the Lancaster 168’s breathtaking pocket watch in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1925 — the same year that a special session of the Supreme Court of Texas met that featured all female justices. This was the first all-female supreme court in the United States, and it included Hortense Sparks Ward, Hattie Leah Heneberg, and Ruth Virginia Brazzil. The all-female Supreme Court of Texas ruled over the case, Johnson V. Darr. The case was brought forth by the Woodmen of the World — a fraternity that’s known today as WoodmenLife — which claimed that they owned two tracts of land in El Paso. The properties were included in a trust and deeded to F. P. Jones. Jones had creditors who came after the land, leading to the legal dispute. Many lawyers and state officials were members of the Woodmen of the World, including justices Calvin Maples Cureton, Thomas B. Greenwood, and William Pierson. The three justices recused themselves from

Case Style:This case has been CNC milled from a solid block of aerospace grade titanium. The case is intentionally left unpolished so the intricate tool marks made during the milling process remain visible. Titanium is the ultimate material for strength to weight ratio. Titanium has a darker look than steel, and due to its low thermal conductivity, feels warm to the touch. These characteristics create an enduring, highly wearable, distinctive piece.

Movement: The manually wound, antique, pocket watch movement inside this watch has been meticulously restored to as close to original condition as possible. Vortic has an exclusive group of highly experienced watchmakers that specialize in vintage watches. Before its use in a wristwatch, each movement is completely disassembled, cleaned, oiled, and calibrated. Each finished Vortic watch is tested for at least a week before completion.

This watch's movement is serial number 3241407 from the Hamilton Watch Company. 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.

Watch Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
  • Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
  • Case Dimensions: 
    • Diameter: 46mm
    • Height: 12mm
    • Lug-to-Lug: 55mm
    • Lugs: 22mm
  • Case Finish: Machined Titanium
  • Crown/Hardware: Copper
  • Water Resistance: 1 ATM
  • Crystals: Gorilla Glass
  • Case Back: Stainless Steel
  • Strap: Leather

Movement

  • Manufacturer: Hamilton Watch Company
  • Serial Number:  3241407
  • Manufacture Year:  1925
  • Function: Manual Wind
  • Jewels: 17j
  • Hands: Original
  • Size: 12s
  • Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
It looks like it would have been right at home on the wrist of Indiana Jones! This watch is a showpiece as much as it is as unique timepiece!
—John from Indiana
After receiving the watch in the mail, I was surprised to see the watch somehow looked better in person than it did in the photos. I didn't think that would be possible!
—Mark from Massachusetts
The skeleton back is amazing and the packaging was perfect. To honor the past with details like this is truly impressive.
—Brad from Florida
I own so called "high end" watches such as Rolex, Panerai, and Zenith but they pale in comparison to my two Vortic models which I wear everyday to work.
—Todd from Ohio
What makes the Lancaster 168 unique: We’re delighted to feature this remarkable piece of history that boasts an antique pocket watch originally manufactured by the Hamilton Watch Company in 1925 — the Lancaster 168. This splendid watch features an aged dial with stylized black numerals that look exceptional against its rustic, light-copper-colored background. The front of this piece also displays stunning violet spade & whip watch hands and a useful subdial. We paired this exquisite pocket watch with our robust, glimmering Machined Titanium case and topped it off with a copper crown that complements the dial’s color palette. Our Machined Titanium case features a transparent back, showcasing the pocket watch’s 912-grade open-face movement with a double roller escapement, Reed regulator, and ¾ plate. The back of the piece also features 17 handsome screw-set jewels that compliment the movement’s luxurious-looking gold-plated gears. Finally, we matched this historic, one-of-a-kind watch with our comfortable, American-made Rye leather watch strap, further showcasing the watch’s highly original colors.

The Hamilton Watch Company produced the Lancaster 168’s breathtaking pocket watch in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1925 — the same year that a special session of the Supreme Court of Texas met that featured all female justices. This was the first all-female supreme court in the United States, and it included Hortense Sparks Ward, Hattie Leah Heneberg, and Ruth Virginia Brazzil. The all-female Supreme Court of Texas ruled over the case, Johnson V. Darr. The case was brought forth by the Woodmen of the World — a fraternity that’s known today as WoodmenLife — which claimed that they owned two tracts of land in El Paso. The properties were included in a trust and deeded to F. P. Jones. Jones had creditors who came after the land, leading to the legal dispute. Many lawyers and state officials were members of the Woodmen of the World, including justices Calvin Maples Cureton, Thomas B. Greenwood, and William Pierson. The three justices recused themselves from

Quality Straps

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Mission

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American Made

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