Watch Description
What makes the Springfield 066 unique: As far as classic pocket watch design goes, it doesn't get more pure than this. The conversion of a 16-size Illinois built in 1917, this robust and stylish Vortic features an almost flawless enamel dial that has all of the hallmarks of early 20th-century design and execution.
Bold black Arabic numerals punctuate its white "double-sunk" construction, with an inset center and further inset seconds subdial. When coupled with the dark violet heavy spade and whip hands, the visual contrast is eye-catching and functionally brilliant, allowing the time to be read legibly even in low light. Cherry-red circles outboard of the numerals also boost the dial's readability and add a pop of color to its otherwise staid aesthetic.
On the other hand, the original 17 jewel movement, serviced by our in-house watchmakers, has much more flair. Its intricately decorated and engraved plates and bridges are gold-plated, and the movement exhibits the same almost flawless condition as the dial and hands. To add further history and exclusivity to this impressive timepiece, "Great Northern Special", the name engraved on the center bridge, denotes that the Illinois Watch Co. manufactured this pocket watch movement exclusively for St. Paul, Minnesota's Gittelson Jewelry Co. and the Gradwohl Jewelry Co. of Kansas City and St. Louis.
The warm gold tones of the movement accent the Springfield 066's bronze case and crown, both of which have been completely machined here in our Fort Collins, Colorado workshop. To showcase the antique nature of the dial and movement, those bronze components will patina and darken over time due to the chemical reaction of certain copper-containing metals when exposed to oxygen, moisture, and atmospheric chemicals. This actually creates an elemental barrier that protects them from harmful corrosion.
The made-in-America, black leather strap has a supple grain that looks great and feels comfortable around your wrist. After being worn and broken in, it will be even more true.
This Vortic conversion highlights one of the most classic and iconic pocket watch styles produced by the American watchmaking industry, and its incredible condition will make it hard to believe when you tell admirers that it's 107 years young.
Movement Manufacturer Information
The movement inside of this watch was made by Illinois Watch Company. We call this model "The Springfield" because the company was located in Springfield, Illinois.
Originally called the Springfield Watch Company, Illinois came to Springfield, Illinois in 1869 while the "modern" watch industry was fairly new but highly promising. City officials felt that the addition of industry to the city of Springfield would be excellent for the city's growth. However, after a series of failures and re-brandings, the company had a slow start until 1903 when they decided to manufacture high-quality watches only. Eventually making some of the most beautiful watches of their time, the company sold to Hamilton in 1927. Hamilton continued producing watches under the Illinois name for some time, but the original Springfield factory no longer stands.
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: 2024
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 49mm
- Thickness: 14.5mm
- Lug to Lug: 59mm
- Lug Width: 24mm
- Case Material: Machined Bronze
- Crown/Hardware: Bronze
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 3118544
- Manufacture Year: 1917
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 16s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Springfield 066 unique: As far as classic pocket watch design goes, it doesn't get more pure than this. The conversion of a 16-size Illinois built in 1917, this robust and stylish Vortic features an almost flawless enamel dial that has all of the hallmarks of early 20th-century design and execution.
Bold black Arabic numerals punctuate its white "double-sunk" construction, with an inset center and further inset seconds subdial. When coupled with the dark violet heavy spade and whip hands, the visual contrast is eye-catching and functionally brilliant, allowing the time to be read legibly even in low light. Cherry-red circles outboard of the numerals also boost the dial's readability and add a pop of color to its otherwise staid aesthetic.
On the other hand, the original 17 jewel movement, serviced by our in-house watchmakers, has much more flair. Its intricately decorated and engraved plates and bridges are gold-plated, and the movement exhibits the same almost flawless condition as the dial and hands. To add further history and exclusivity to this impressive timepiece, "Great Northern Special", the name engraved on the center bridge, denotes that the Illinois Watch Co. manufactured this pocket watch movement exclusively for St. Paul, Minnesota's Gittelson Jewelry Co. and the Gradwohl Jewelry Co. of Kansas City and St. Louis.
The warm gold tones of the movement accent the Springfield 066's bronze case and crown, both of which have been completely machined here in our Fort Collins, Colorado workshop. To showcase the antique nature of the dial and movement, those bronze components will patina and darken over time due to the chemical reaction of certain copper-containing metals when exposed to oxygen, moisture, and atmospheric chemicals. This actually creates an elemental barrier that protects them from harmful corrosion.
The made-in-America, black leather strap has a supple grain that looks great and feels comfortable around your wrist. After being worn and broken in, it will be even more true.
This Vortic conversion highlights one of the most classic and iconic pocket watch styles produced by the American watchmaking industry, and its incredible condition will make it hard to believe when you tell admirers that it's 107 years young.
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.
