Watch Description
What makes the Springfield 158 unique:
The Springfield 158 is a striking fusion of Art Deco artistry and bold modern contrast. At its center is a silver-toned dial embossed with vertical gold and silver stripes, creating a multi-dimensional canvas that gleams under shifting light. An inner oval frame adds further depth, while the fancy, serif-style numerals arc gracefully around the outer ring in jet black for sharp legibility. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock blends seamlessly with the central design, offering added utility without disrupting the visual rhythm. Floating above it all are a pair of gothic-style hands in black, tapered to fine points and echoing the dial’s strong geometry with a sculptural flourish.
Inside this watch beats a 17-jewel Illinois movement from 1923. The open caseback reveals a mixed-metal visual: polished steel bridges layered with gold-plated components and sweeping Geneva stripes. It’s an intricate mechanical tableau that rewards close attention, reflecting the engineering excellence of American watchmaking’s golden age.
The case itself is a study in contrast and craftsmanship. We’ve paired a machined titanium body with a black DLC-coated titanium coin-edge bezel—adding a crisp frame to the dial’s vertical energy. A knurled titanium crown completes the case architecture with both texture and ease of use. The oxblood leather strap with white contrast stitching ties the whole piece together, offering warmth and elegance that complements the dial’s metallic vibrance.
In 1923, the U.S. Navy commissioned the first ever aircraft carrier—USS Langley (CV-1)—marking the dawn of American naval aviation. Just as this innovation redefined the future of military technology, the Springfield 158 represents a reinvention of American horological heritage, transforming an antique pocket watch into a bold, modern wristwatch.
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 Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 4359533
- Manufacture Year: 1923
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Springfield 158 unique:
The Springfield 158 is a striking fusion of Art Deco artistry and bold modern contrast. At its center is a silver-toned dial embossed with vertical gold and silver stripes, creating a multi-dimensional canvas that gleams under shifting light. An inner oval frame adds further depth, while the fancy, serif-style numerals arc gracefully around the outer ring in jet black for sharp legibility. A recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock blends seamlessly with the central design, offering added utility without disrupting the visual rhythm. Floating above it all are a pair of gothic-style hands in black, tapered to fine points and echoing the dial’s strong geometry with a sculptural flourish.
Inside this watch beats a 17-jewel Illinois movement from 1923. The open caseback reveals a mixed-metal visual: polished steel bridges layered with gold-plated components and sweeping Geneva stripes. It’s an intricate mechanical tableau that rewards close attention, reflecting the engineering excellence of American watchmaking’s golden age.
The case itself is a study in contrast and craftsmanship. We’ve paired a machined titanium body with a black DLC-coated titanium coin-edge bezel—adding a crisp frame to the dial’s vertical energy. A knurled titanium crown completes the case architecture with both texture and ease of use. The oxblood leather strap with white contrast stitching ties the whole piece together, offering warmth and elegance that complements the dial’s metallic vibrance.
In 1923, the U.S. Navy commissioned the first ever aircraft carrier—USS Langley (CV-1)—marking the dawn of American naval aviation. Just as this innovation redefined the future of military technology, the Springfield 158 represents a reinvention of American horological heritage, transforming an antique pocket watch into a bold, modern wristwatch.
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.
