Watch Description
What makes the Springfield 133 unique:
The Springfield 133 features a richly patinated dial with the unmistakable inscription Santa Fe Special at center. A warm golden hue gives way to subtle speckling and oxidation, beautifully preserved under a domed crystal. Bold black numerals provide sharp legibility, while heat-blued steel hands—including a spade-style hour hand and whip-style minute hand—add striking contrast and elegance. The oversized sub-seconds dial commands attention at the 6 o’clock position, bordered by a well-defined minute track.
This watch is powered by a 21-jewel movement from the Illinois Watch Company, originally manufactured in 1919. The movement bridges reveal decorative patterns that shimmer beneath the engraved Santa Fe Special signature—also visible through the open caseback. Gold-plated screws and polished gears complete the aesthetic, offering a window into the artistry of early 20th-century American watchmaking.
We’ve paired this movement with a sandblasted steel case from our American Artisan Series, fitted with a smooth sandblasted bezel. The crown is a standout detail—crafted from bronze with a deeply knurled texture that complements the warm tones of the dial. An oxblood Horween leather strap with cream stitching finishes the build, delivering a timeless color combination and a secure, comfortable fit on the wrist.
In 1919—the year this movement was manufactured—the first transcontinental airmail route was flown across the United States. Pilots navigated without radar or radios, relying solely on visual landmarks and maps. It was a bold leap forward in aviation and communication—much like the watches of that era, which helped synchronize an increasingly connected country.
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: Sandblasted Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 3527962
- Manufacture Year: 1919
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 21 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Springfield 133 unique:
The Springfield 133 features a richly patinated dial with the unmistakable inscription Santa Fe Special at center. A warm golden hue gives way to subtle speckling and oxidation, beautifully preserved under a domed crystal. Bold black numerals provide sharp legibility, while heat-blued steel hands—including a spade-style hour hand and whip-style minute hand—add striking contrast and elegance. The oversized sub-seconds dial commands attention at the 6 o’clock position, bordered by a well-defined minute track.
This watch is powered by a 21-jewel movement from the Illinois Watch Company, originally manufactured in 1919. The movement bridges reveal decorative patterns that shimmer beneath the engraved Santa Fe Special signature—also visible through the open caseback. Gold-plated screws and polished gears complete the aesthetic, offering a window into the artistry of early 20th-century American watchmaking.
We’ve paired this movement with a sandblasted steel case from our American Artisan Series, fitted with a smooth sandblasted bezel. The crown is a standout detail—crafted from bronze with a deeply knurled texture that complements the warm tones of the dial. An oxblood Horween leather strap with cream stitching finishes the build, delivering a timeless color combination and a secure, comfortable fit on the wrist.
In 1919—the year this movement was manufactured—the first transcontinental airmail route was flown across the United States. Pilots navigated without radar or radios, relying solely on visual landmarks and maps. It was a bold leap forward in aviation and communication—much like the watches of that era, which helped synchronize an increasingly connected country.
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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.
