Watch Description
What makes the Springfield 139 unique:
The Springfield 139 is a celebration of artistry in motion—where every element of the dial seems to echo the rhythm of time itself. At the center lies a richly detailed medallion pattern unlike any we’ve seen before, filled with swirling floral-like motifs that appear hand-engraved into the vertically brushed, parchment-toned surface. Surrounding this intricate core is a chapter ring adorned with bold, curling numerals and squared minute markers, each detail contributing to a sense of symmetry and vintage elegance. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock anchors the composition, while heat-blued diamond-kite hands hover above, providing a sharp visual contrast with refined geometry.
Powering this timepiece is a 17-jewel movement from the Illinois Watch Company, built in 1923 and now fully restored to modern standards. Its bridges feature a unique concentric feathered texture—radiating outward with precision and depth, unlike the more common straight Geneva stripes. Look closely, and you’ll find the engraving “The Master” on the movement plate—a fitting tribute to the original craftsman and a symbol of mechanical excellence that lives on in this modern restoration.
We’ve paired this stunning movement with a stonewashed titanium case and a matching sandblasted knurled crown, creating a muted, industrial frame that allows the dial to take center stage. The watch is completed with a black leather strap featuring light stitching, a classic choice that adds structure and visual balance without overpowering the dial’s expressive details.
In 1923, American inventor Garrett Morgan was recognized for revolutionizing traffic safety with the invention of the three-position traffic signal. His design introduced the yellow caution light—an innovation that helped prevent accidents and shaped modern transportation. Much like Morgan’s invention, the movement inside this watch represents a leap forward in function and ingenuity, now preserved for generations to come.
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.
Legal Disclaimer: All product and company names, logos, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within Vortic's products and services are the property of their respective intellectual property rights holders, if any. Those intellectual property rights holders, other than Vortic, LLC, are not affiliated with Vortic, LLC, our products, or our website. They do not sponsor or endorse our materials.
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: 4177676
- Manufacture Year: 1923
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Springfield 139 unique:
The Springfield 139 is a celebration of artistry in motion—where every element of the dial seems to echo the rhythm of time itself. At the center lies a richly detailed medallion pattern unlike any we’ve seen before, filled with swirling floral-like motifs that appear hand-engraved into the vertically brushed, parchment-toned surface. Surrounding this intricate core is a chapter ring adorned with bold, curling numerals and squared minute markers, each detail contributing to a sense of symmetry and vintage elegance. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock anchors the composition, while heat-blued diamond-kite hands hover above, providing a sharp visual contrast with refined geometry.
Powering this timepiece is a 17-jewel movement from the Illinois Watch Company, built in 1923 and now fully restored to modern standards. Its bridges feature a unique concentric feathered texture—radiating outward with precision and depth, unlike the more common straight Geneva stripes. Look closely, and you’ll find the engraving “The Master” on the movement plate—a fitting tribute to the original craftsman and a symbol of mechanical excellence that lives on in this modern restoration.
We’ve paired this stunning movement with a stonewashed titanium case and a matching sandblasted knurled crown, creating a muted, industrial frame that allows the dial to take center stage. The watch is completed with a black leather strap featuring light stitching, a classic choice that adds structure and visual balance without overpowering the dial’s expressive details.
In 1923, American inventor Garrett Morgan was recognized for revolutionizing traffic safety with the invention of the three-position traffic signal. His design introduced the yellow caution light—an innovation that helped prevent accidents and shaped modern transportation. Much like Morgan’s invention, the movement inside this watch represents a leap forward in function and ingenuity, now preserved for generations to come.
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.
