Watch Description
What makes the Springfield 111 unique:
The Springfield 111 showcases a dial unlike any other, marked by bold blue numerals that stand out against a patina-rich backdrop. At its center, the ornate Illinois insignia forms a striking focal point, framed by intricate engraving and subtle texturing that speak to the watch’s century-long journey. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock balances the layout, while heat-blued spade-style hands add elegance and clarity to the display.
Powering this piece is a 17-jewel Illinois Watch Company movement originally manufactured in 1924. Viewed through the open caseback, the engine is finished with sweeping Geneva stripes across the bridges, polished steel components, and carefully restored detailing that highlight the precision of early American watchmaking. Each movement is fully restored, ensuring both modern reliability and lasting historical character.
The case is machined from stainless steel and fitted with an angled bezel that sharpens the profile of the watch. A knurled stainless steel crown provides both function and visual strength, while the navy leather strap adds a modern yet refined touch that pairs seamlessly with the deep blue numerals on the dial. Together, these elements create a watch that balances history, artistry, and durability.
By 1924, American watchmaking was reaching its golden era, with companies like Illinois pushing the limits of precision engineering and decorative design. The Springfield 111 carries that legacy forward, blending a century of craftsmanship with a contemporary wristwatch form, ensuring its place as both a functional tool and a collector’s piece of American history.
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: 4543214
- Manufacture Year: 1924
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Springfield 111 unique:
The Springfield 111 showcases a dial unlike any other, marked by bold blue numerals that stand out against a patina-rich backdrop. At its center, the ornate Illinois insignia forms a striking focal point, framed by intricate engraving and subtle texturing that speak to the watch’s century-long journey. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock balances the layout, while heat-blued spade-style hands add elegance and clarity to the display.
Powering this piece is a 17-jewel Illinois Watch Company movement originally manufactured in 1924. Viewed through the open caseback, the engine is finished with sweeping Geneva stripes across the bridges, polished steel components, and carefully restored detailing that highlight the precision of early American watchmaking. Each movement is fully restored, ensuring both modern reliability and lasting historical character.
The case is machined from stainless steel and fitted with an angled bezel that sharpens the profile of the watch. A knurled stainless steel crown provides both function and visual strength, while the navy leather strap adds a modern yet refined touch that pairs seamlessly with the deep blue numerals on the dial. Together, these elements create a watch that balances history, artistry, and durability.
By 1924, American watchmaking was reaching its golden era, with companies like Illinois pushing the limits of precision engineering and decorative design. The Springfield 111 carries that legacy forward, blending a century of craftsmanship with a contemporary wristwatch form, ensuring its place as both a functional tool and a collector’s piece of American history.
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.
