Watch Description
What makes the Springfield 146 unique:
The Springfield 146 strikes a confident balance between refined craftsmanship and rugged character. At its center is a parchment-toned dial covered in a mesmerizing engine-turned guilloché pattern that catches the light in waves. Surrounding the dial is a set of bold, black numerals in a stylized serif typeface—elegant yet assertive. Floating above are heat-blued gothic-style hands, each one uniquely sculptural and sharply tapered for maximum contrast. At 6 o’clock, the sub-seconds dial carries noticeable distressing that amplifies the watch’s vintage authenticity while enhancing its layered design.
The movement inside is a standout 21-jewel Illinois mechanism from 1927, engraved with “The Congressional”—a rare and elevated designation that signaled the brand’s premium quality at the time. Through the open caseback, you’ll see a dramatic array of visual textures: broad circular graining, jewel cups, and the striking pattern-work that flows across the bridges and plates. This patterned metal is not just aesthetic—it’s a physical reminder of the golden era of American horology.
We encased this movement in a 45mm stonewashed steel case for durability and muted elegance. A matching tumbled titanium angled bezel adds another level of rugged charm, contrasting beautifully with the vertically knurled crown—also crafted from tumbled titanium. The combination of finishes gives this piece a tactile, industrial feel, while the warm cognac leather strap adds softness and cohesion, tying the look together with timeless appeal.
In 1927, the Holland Tunnel opened beneath the Hudson River, connecting New York and New Jersey as the first mechanically ventilated underwater tunnel in the world. It was a triumph of American engineering, designed to solve the growing transportation demands of the automobile age. Just like the intricate mechanics of this timepiece, the Holland Tunnel was a symbol of precision, innovation, and bold ambition.
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: Tumbled Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Nickel Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 4926209
- Manufacture Year: 1927
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 21 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Springfield 146 unique:
The Springfield 146 strikes a confident balance between refined craftsmanship and rugged character. At its center is a parchment-toned dial covered in a mesmerizing engine-turned guilloché pattern that catches the light in waves. Surrounding the dial is a set of bold, black numerals in a stylized serif typeface—elegant yet assertive. Floating above are heat-blued gothic-style hands, each one uniquely sculptural and sharply tapered for maximum contrast. At 6 o’clock, the sub-seconds dial carries noticeable distressing that amplifies the watch’s vintage authenticity while enhancing its layered design.
The movement inside is a standout 21-jewel Illinois mechanism from 1927, engraved with “The Congressional”—a rare and elevated designation that signaled the brand’s premium quality at the time. Through the open caseback, you’ll see a dramatic array of visual textures: broad circular graining, jewel cups, and the striking pattern-work that flows across the bridges and plates. This patterned metal is not just aesthetic—it’s a physical reminder of the golden era of American horology.
We encased this movement in a 45mm stonewashed steel case for durability and muted elegance. A matching tumbled titanium angled bezel adds another level of rugged charm, contrasting beautifully with the vertically knurled crown—also crafted from tumbled titanium. The combination of finishes gives this piece a tactile, industrial feel, while the warm cognac leather strap adds softness and cohesion, tying the look together with timeless appeal.
In 1927, the Holland Tunnel opened beneath the Hudson River, connecting New York and New Jersey as the first mechanically ventilated underwater tunnel in the world. It was a triumph of American engineering, designed to solve the growing transportation demands of the automobile age. Just like the intricate mechanics of this timepiece, the Holland Tunnel was a symbol of precision, innovation, and bold ambition.
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.
