Watch Description
What makes the Springfield 121 unique:
The Springfield 121 commands attention with its ornate silver filigree dial—a rare example of early 20th-century artistry brought to life through intricate raised detailing. Its sandblasted background offers subtle texture and depth, allowing the golden numerals to appear almost suspended above the surface. Blued steel Heavy Moon hands sweep gracefully across the design, complementing the recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock for a layout that balances elegance with precision.
At its heart lies a 19-jewel Illinois Watch Company movement originally manufactured in 1920. Designated the “Time King,” this movement represents one of Illinois’ finest achievements in both engineering and decoration. Through the open caseback, the bridges reveal rose gold-plated gears and two-toned finishing—created by etching away the rhodium layer to expose the warm brass beneath. The result is a visual interplay of silver and gold tones that captures the ingenuity of early American watchmaking.
Encasing this historic movement is a machined stainless steel case paired with a polished notched bezel that echoes the ornate detail of the dial. A knurled machined-steel crown ensures smooth operation, while a rye-toned leather strap provides warmth and contrast to the cool tones of the case and dial. Together, these details create a timepiece that feels sculptural, refined, and unmistakably American.
In 1920, the first successful transatlantic radio broadcast connected Connecticut to Scotland, marking a milestone in global communication. That same spirit of innovation is preserved in The Springfield 121—an enduring symbol of craftsmanship that transcends time and distance.
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: Brushed 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: 3719930
- Manufacture Year: 1920
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 19 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Springfield 121 unique:
The Springfield 121 commands attention with its ornate silver filigree dial—a rare example of early 20th-century artistry brought to life through intricate raised detailing. Its sandblasted background offers subtle texture and depth, allowing the golden numerals to appear almost suspended above the surface. Blued steel Heavy Moon hands sweep gracefully across the design, complementing the recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock for a layout that balances elegance with precision.
At its heart lies a 19-jewel Illinois Watch Company movement originally manufactured in 1920. Designated the “Time King,” this movement represents one of Illinois’ finest achievements in both engineering and decoration. Through the open caseback, the bridges reveal rose gold-plated gears and two-toned finishing—created by etching away the rhodium layer to expose the warm brass beneath. The result is a visual interplay of silver and gold tones that captures the ingenuity of early American watchmaking.
Encasing this historic movement is a machined stainless steel case paired with a polished notched bezel that echoes the ornate detail of the dial. A knurled machined-steel crown ensures smooth operation, while a rye-toned leather strap provides warmth and contrast to the cool tones of the case and dial. Together, these details create a timepiece that feels sculptural, refined, and unmistakably American.
In 1920, the first successful transatlantic radio broadcast connected Connecticut to Scotland, marking a milestone in global communication. That same spirit of innovation is preserved in The Springfield 121—an enduring symbol of craftsmanship that transcends time and distance.
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.
