Watch Description
What Makes The Springfield 087 Unique:
The Springfield 087 presents a richly aged dial defined by a deep, dark antique patina that immediately sets the tone. Time has softened the surface into a warm, earthy finish, giving the dial a moody depth that feels both deliberate and authentic. Bold Arabic numerals stand proud against the darkened background, while a subtle ring of custom lume traces the outer edge of the dial, offering quiet functionality without disrupting the vintage character. We preserved the original gold-plated hands, whose warm tone complements the dial beautifully and adds a refined contrast as they sweep across the surface. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock introduces visual balance and reinforces the watch’s classic pocket-watch origins.
Inside, this watch is powered by a 17-jewel Illinois movement manufactured in 1927. Visible through the open caseback, the movement showcases elegantly striped bridges, polished steel components, and warm gold-toned gears that catch the light as the watch moves. The finishing reflects the care and precision that defined Illinois Watch Company movements during the late 1920s, offering both mechanical reliability and visual intrigue.
The watch is housed in a polished steel case that gives the piece a crisp, contemporary edge while allowing the dial’s age to remain the focal point. A patina’d bronze coin-edge bezel frames the dial with subtle texture, while the knurled bronze crown adds both tactile function and visual warmth. The case is paired with a chocolate-toned leather strap that complements the dial’s darker patina and bronze accents, completing a cohesive and grounded aesthetic that feels intentional from every angle.
In 1927, American industry continued to refine the balance between innovation and craftsmanship as manufacturers pushed toward higher standards of precision and reliability. That same year, American watchmaking was firmly established as a global leader, producing timepieces that combined durability with thoughtful design—an ethos that lives on in The Springfield 087 more than a century later.
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.
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Watch Specifications
- Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
- Model Year: 2024
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Diameter: 45mm
- Case Material: Polished Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: 22mm Chocolate Leather by Hadley Roma with Bronze Buckle
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 4892023
- Manufacture Year: 1927
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What Makes The Springfield 087 Unique:
The Springfield 087 presents a richly aged dial defined by a deep, dark antique patina that immediately sets the tone. Time has softened the surface into a warm, earthy finish, giving the dial a moody depth that feels both deliberate and authentic. Bold Arabic numerals stand proud against the darkened background, while a subtle ring of custom lume traces the outer edge of the dial, offering quiet functionality without disrupting the vintage character. We preserved the original gold-plated hands, whose warm tone complements the dial beautifully and adds a refined contrast as they sweep across the surface. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock introduces visual balance and reinforces the watch’s classic pocket-watch origins.
Inside, this watch is powered by a 17-jewel Illinois movement manufactured in 1927. Visible through the open caseback, the movement showcases elegantly striped bridges, polished steel components, and warm gold-toned gears that catch the light as the watch moves. The finishing reflects the care and precision that defined Illinois Watch Company movements during the late 1920s, offering both mechanical reliability and visual intrigue.
The watch is housed in a polished steel case that gives the piece a crisp, contemporary edge while allowing the dial’s age to remain the focal point. A patina’d bronze coin-edge bezel frames the dial with subtle texture, while the knurled bronze crown adds both tactile function and visual warmth. The case is paired with a chocolate-toned leather strap that complements the dial’s darker patina and bronze accents, completing a cohesive and grounded aesthetic that feels intentional from every angle.
In 1927, American industry continued to refine the balance between innovation and craftsmanship as manufacturers pushed toward higher standards of precision and reliability. That same year, American watchmaking was firmly established as a global leader, producing timepieces that combined durability with thoughtful design—an ethos that lives on in The Springfield 087 more than a century later.
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.
