Watch Description
What Makes The Springfield 174 Unique:
The Springfield 174 is defined by balance and restraint, pairing a highly refined dial layout with the mechanical character collectors expect from early Illinois watchmaking. The dial features a warm silvered finish with a softly brushed central field, surrounded by a finely segmented outer minute track that frames the numerals with exceptional precision. Bold black Arabic numerals remain crisp and evenly proportioned, while the recessed sub-seconds register at 6 o’clock introduces subtle depth without disrupting the symmetry of the design.
One of the most noticeable details is the handset. The blued-steel hands feature distinctive open-circle tips, a design element that gives the watch a slightly more elegant and decorative personality than many utilitarian Illinois dials of the era. Against the lighter dial surface, the deep blue tone creates excellent contrast while remaining period-correct to the original movement and dial configuration.
Collectors will also appreciate the layered construction of the dial itself. The stepped central section and recessed seconds register create a visual separation between the various functional zones of the watch, while the brushed silver finish catches light differently across the dial surface depending on angle. The result is understated, but remarkably dimensional in person.
Inside, the watch is powered by a 17-jewel Illinois movement manufactured in 1917, during a period when Illinois was producing some of the finest commercial pocket watch movements in America. The movement features Geneva striping across the bridges, polished steel components, gold-plated gears, and finely engraved script that remains sharp more than a century later. Through the exhibition caseback, the movement presents a clean and highly legible layout, allowing the architecture and finishing to stand out equally.
The engraving on the movement bridges provides an additional point of collector interest, particularly alongside the visible jewel settings and gold train wheels. The finishing strikes an ideal balance between industrial precision and decorative craftsmanship, characteristic of Illinois production during this era.
The watch is housed in Vortic’s machined 316L stainless steel V3 case, preserving the original crown-at-12 orientation of the antique pocket watch movement. The polished bezel subtly frames the dial without overpowering it, while the 22mm brown leather strap complements the warmer tones present throughout both the dial and movement.
The Springfield 174 succeeds through proportion and execution rather than excess. Between the layered silvered dial, distinctive blued-steel handset, and beautifully preserved Illinois movement, the watch delivers the kind of quiet refinement collectors tend to appreciate more over time, not less.
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: Machined Stainless Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: 22mm Brown Leather Strap with Steel Buckle
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 3107580
- Manufacture Year: 1917
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What Makes The Springfield 174 Unique:
The Springfield 174 is defined by balance and restraint, pairing a highly refined dial layout with the mechanical character collectors expect from early Illinois watchmaking. The dial features a warm silvered finish with a softly brushed central field, surrounded by a finely segmented outer minute track that frames the numerals with exceptional precision. Bold black Arabic numerals remain crisp and evenly proportioned, while the recessed sub-seconds register at 6 o’clock introduces subtle depth without disrupting the symmetry of the design.
One of the most noticeable details is the handset. The blued-steel hands feature distinctive open-circle tips, a design element that gives the watch a slightly more elegant and decorative personality than many utilitarian Illinois dials of the era. Against the lighter dial surface, the deep blue tone creates excellent contrast while remaining period-correct to the original movement and dial configuration.
Collectors will also appreciate the layered construction of the dial itself. The stepped central section and recessed seconds register create a visual separation between the various functional zones of the watch, while the brushed silver finish catches light differently across the dial surface depending on angle. The result is understated, but remarkably dimensional in person.
Inside, the watch is powered by a 17-jewel Illinois movement manufactured in 1917, during a period when Illinois was producing some of the finest commercial pocket watch movements in America. The movement features Geneva striping across the bridges, polished steel components, gold-plated gears, and finely engraved script that remains sharp more than a century later. Through the exhibition caseback, the movement presents a clean and highly legible layout, allowing the architecture and finishing to stand out equally.
The engraving on the movement bridges provides an additional point of collector interest, particularly alongside the visible jewel settings and gold train wheels. The finishing strikes an ideal balance between industrial precision and decorative craftsmanship, characteristic of Illinois production during this era.
The watch is housed in Vortic’s machined 316L stainless steel V3 case, preserving the original crown-at-12 orientation of the antique pocket watch movement. The polished bezel subtly frames the dial without overpowering it, while the 22mm brown leather strap complements the warmer tones present throughout both the dial and movement.
The Springfield 174 succeeds through proportion and execution rather than excess. Between the layered silvered dial, distinctive blued-steel handset, and beautifully preserved Illinois movement, the watch delivers the kind of quiet refinement collectors tend to appreciate more over time, not less.
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.
