Watch Description
What Makes The Springfield 164 Unique:
The Springfield 164 showcases a dial rich with antique patina, where age has softened the surface into a warm, complex canvas full of character. Intricate engraving stretches across nearly the entire dial, creating layers of texture that shift subtly as light moves across it. Distinct blue numerals stand out crisply against the aged background, offering both legibility and visual contrast, while the recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock introduces balance and structure to an otherwise ornate design. We preserved the original blued-steel hands, whose deep blue tone ties seamlessly into the numerals and reinforces the watch’s cohesive, early-20th-century aesthetic.
Inside, this watch is powered by a 19-jewel Illinois movement manufactured in 1921. Visible through the open caseback, the movement features flowing Geneva stripes across the bridges, polished steel components, and gold-toned gears that reflect the high level of finishing Illinois was known for during this period. The additional jewel count speaks to the movement’s refinement, while its visual presentation mirrors the care and detail found on the dial itself.
The watch is housed in our Version 3 steel case with a sandblasted finish that offers a soft, matte texture and allows the engraved dial to remain the focal point. A matching sandblasted steel bezel provides subtle framing without distraction, while the knurled sandblasted-steel crown adds tactile grip and understated utility. The case is paired with a teal leather strap that introduces a modern accent, complementing the blue numerals and blued-steel hands while maintaining a balanced, wearable profile.
In 1921, American watchmaking was redefining itself in the wake of World War I, as manufacturers focused on precision, durability, and increasingly expressive design. Illinois Watch Company was at the forefront of this shift, producing movements that blended technical excellence with decorative artistry. The Springfield 163 reflects that moment in American history—a watch born from a time when craftsmanship and visual sophistication were expected to go hand in hand.
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 Diameter: 45mm
- Case Material: Sandblasted Stainless Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Front: Domed Sapphire Back: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: 22mm Teal Leather by W&W with Steel Buckle
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 3919779
- Manufacture Year: 1921
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 19 Jewels
- Hands: Original Blued-Steel Hands
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What Makes The Springfield 164 Unique:
The Springfield 164 showcases a dial rich with antique patina, where age has softened the surface into a warm, complex canvas full of character. Intricate engraving stretches across nearly the entire dial, creating layers of texture that shift subtly as light moves across it. Distinct blue numerals stand out crisply against the aged background, offering both legibility and visual contrast, while the recessed sub-seconds dial at 6 o’clock introduces balance and structure to an otherwise ornate design. We preserved the original blued-steel hands, whose deep blue tone ties seamlessly into the numerals and reinforces the watch’s cohesive, early-20th-century aesthetic.
Inside, this watch is powered by a 19-jewel Illinois movement manufactured in 1921. Visible through the open caseback, the movement features flowing Geneva stripes across the bridges, polished steel components, and gold-toned gears that reflect the high level of finishing Illinois was known for during this period. The additional jewel count speaks to the movement’s refinement, while its visual presentation mirrors the care and detail found on the dial itself.
The watch is housed in our Version 3 steel case with a sandblasted finish that offers a soft, matte texture and allows the engraved dial to remain the focal point. A matching sandblasted steel bezel provides subtle framing without distraction, while the knurled sandblasted-steel crown adds tactile grip and understated utility. The case is paired with a teal leather strap that introduces a modern accent, complementing the blue numerals and blued-steel hands while maintaining a balanced, wearable profile.
In 1921, American watchmaking was redefining itself in the wake of World War I, as manufacturers focused on precision, durability, and increasingly expressive design. Illinois Watch Company was at the forefront of this shift, producing movements that blended technical excellence with decorative artistry. The Springfield 163 reflects that moment in American history—a watch born from a time when craftsmanship and visual sophistication were expected to go hand in hand.
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.
