Watch Description
What makes the Springfield 108 unique:
The Springfield 108 is a striking blend of railroad precision and timeless craftsmanship, featuring a pristine white enamel dial that exudes a bold, no-nonsense aesthetic. Crisp black numerals and a finely detailed minute track ensure exceptional readability, while the heat-blued Breguet-style hands introduce a refined elegance. The dial’s simplicity is a nod to the Illinois Central Railroad, evoking the golden age of American rail travel when accuracy was paramount.
Inside, a 1917 Illinois Watch Company movement powers this piece, a testament to American ingenuity during a pivotal year in history. As the United States entered World War I, precision timekeeping became crucial for both military and railroad operations. This 17-jewel manual-wind movement reflects that same dedication to accuracy, with gold-hued bridges and scalloped engravings, showcasing the artistry of the period. The warm tones of the movement create a stunning contrast against the polished steel gears and brass bushings, highlighting the level of detail that defined Illinois Watch Company’s craftsmanship.
Housed in a machined stainless steel case, this watch is built to stand the test of time. The coin-edged bezel adds a refined, textured element, framing the dial with a subtle nod to vintage pocket watches. A knurled crown ensures a firm grip for precise winding, while the ebony Hadley-Roma leather strap completes the design with a touch of modern sophistication. The Springfield 108 is more than just a watch—it’s a piece of history reborn for the modern collector.
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: 2025
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 45mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 55mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Machined Stainless Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 3141246
- Manufacture Year: 1917
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Springfield 108 unique:
The Springfield 108 is a striking blend of railroad precision and timeless craftsmanship, featuring a pristine white enamel dial that exudes a bold, no-nonsense aesthetic. Crisp black numerals and a finely detailed minute track ensure exceptional readability, while the heat-blued Breguet-style hands introduce a refined elegance. The dial’s simplicity is a nod to the Illinois Central Railroad, evoking the golden age of American rail travel when accuracy was paramount.
Inside, a 1917 Illinois Watch Company movement powers this piece, a testament to American ingenuity during a pivotal year in history. As the United States entered World War I, precision timekeeping became crucial for both military and railroad operations. This 17-jewel manual-wind movement reflects that same dedication to accuracy, with gold-hued bridges and scalloped engravings, showcasing the artistry of the period. The warm tones of the movement create a stunning contrast against the polished steel gears and brass bushings, highlighting the level of detail that defined Illinois Watch Company’s craftsmanship.
Housed in a machined stainless steel case, this watch is built to stand the test of time. The coin-edged bezel adds a refined, textured element, framing the dial with a subtle nod to vintage pocket watches. A knurled crown ensures a firm grip for precise winding, while the ebony Hadley-Roma leather strap completes the design with a touch of modern sophistication. The Springfield 108 is more than just a watch—it’s a piece of history reborn for the modern collector.
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.