Watch Description
What makes the Springfield 130 unique:
The Springfield 130 is a refined example of early American watchmaking, brought back to life in our American Artisan Series. The dial is crisp and bright with a rich porcelain-like finish, framed by clearly defined black numerals and accented with red five-minute markers around the outer edge. It features a single-sunk configuration with a recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock, offering subtle depth and balance. A fine network of hairline cracks runs across the surface, testament to the dial’s age and authenticity—earned honestly over 100 years. Complementing the dial are blued steel Spade & Whip hands that cut through the white enamel with elegance and clarity.
Powering this piece is an antique 17-jewel Illinois movement, originally manufactured in 1917. Visible through the open caseback, the bridges feature dramatic, undulating engravings—each sweep of the pattern catching the light and celebrating traditional American finishing techniques. Gold-plated gears peek between the bridges, and the jewel settings add delicate pops of color, all speaking to the mechanical artistry of a bygone era.
We housed this movement in a machined stainless steel case, preserving the industrial character of the material with a raw finish. A coin-edged bezel adds visual texture and frames the dial with a refined, vintage-inspired look, while the geometric knurled crown provides tactile functionality. The build is completed with a cognac-toned American-made leather strap that brings warmth to the piece, tying together the classic aesthetic.
This movement was manufactured in 1917—the same year the first Pulitzer Prizes were awarded. Created to honor excellence in journalism and the arts, the Pulitzer became a symbol of American storytelling, innovation, and integrity. In the same spirit, The Springfield 130 preserves the craftsmanship of an era when precision, detail, and design spoke volumes—all without saying a word.
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: 3210578
- Manufacture Year: 1917
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Springfield 130 unique:
The Springfield 130 is a refined example of early American watchmaking, brought back to life in our American Artisan Series. The dial is crisp and bright with a rich porcelain-like finish, framed by clearly defined black numerals and accented with red five-minute markers around the outer edge. It features a single-sunk configuration with a recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock, offering subtle depth and balance. A fine network of hairline cracks runs across the surface, testament to the dial’s age and authenticity—earned honestly over 100 years. Complementing the dial are blued steel Spade & Whip hands that cut through the white enamel with elegance and clarity.
Powering this piece is an antique 17-jewel Illinois movement, originally manufactured in 1917. Visible through the open caseback, the bridges feature dramatic, undulating engravings—each sweep of the pattern catching the light and celebrating traditional American finishing techniques. Gold-plated gears peek between the bridges, and the jewel settings add delicate pops of color, all speaking to the mechanical artistry of a bygone era.
We housed this movement in a machined stainless steel case, preserving the industrial character of the material with a raw finish. A coin-edged bezel adds visual texture and frames the dial with a refined, vintage-inspired look, while the geometric knurled crown provides tactile functionality. The build is completed with a cognac-toned American-made leather strap that brings warmth to the piece, tying together the classic aesthetic.
This movement was manufactured in 1917—the same year the first Pulitzer Prizes were awarded. Created to honor excellence in journalism and the arts, the Pulitzer became a symbol of American storytelling, innovation, and integrity. In the same spirit, The Springfield 130 preserves the craftsmanship of an era when precision, detail, and design spoke volumes—all without saying a word.
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.
