Watch Description
What Makes The Springfield 176 Unique:
The Springfield 176 is a watch that embraces age, character, and craftsmanship in equal measure. Built around a 17-jewel Illinois movement manufactured in 1923, this piece pairs one of the most visually distinctive dials we’ve encountered with a fully machined bronze case that will continue developing its own story as it ages. Together, they create a watch that feels less like a preserved artifact and more like a living object that continues to evolve with its owner.
The dial is unquestionably the centerpiece. More than a century of natural aging has transformed what was once a lighter surface into a rich tapestry of bronze, charcoal, and tobacco tones. The patina spreads across the entire dial with remarkable consistency, creating an appearance that almost resembles aged parchment or weathered metal. Collectors often spend years searching for dials with this level of authentic character because no restoration process can truly replicate the randomness and depth that decades naturally create.
Adding to the uniqueness of the piece are the custom lumed hands and hour markers. Small luminous plots have been thoughtfully integrated around the perimeter of the dial while the cathedral-style hands have also been lumed, creating a dramatic contrast between the watch’s century-old appearance and its modern functionality. In daylight, the lume appears subtle and restrained. In darkness, the dial takes on an entirely different personality, with the glowing markers tracing the perimeter of the watch while the hands remain easily legible. It is an uncommon combination that bridges antique watchmaking and contemporary practicality in a way few conversions can achieve.
The layout itself remains distinctly Illinois. Bold Arabic numerals frame the dial while the recessed sub-seconds register at 6 o’clock preserves the original pocket watch proportions. Even through the heavy patina, the layered construction of the dial remains visible, with a raised central section and separate seconds register adding depth and visual interest.
Turning the watch over reveals the movement that powers it all. The Illinois movement displays beautifully striped bridge work, visible gold-toned gearing, polished steel components, and vivid jewel settings throughout the architecture. Collectors familiar with Illinois movements from the early 1920s will immediately recognize the quality of finishing and attention to detail that helped establish the company as one of America’s premier watch manufacturers. The engraved “The Autocrat” designation remains visible on the bridge, a detail that enthusiasts often appreciate as a reminder of the original model designation.
The fully machined bronze case complements the dial perfectly. Rather than competing with the aged surface, the bronze amplifies the warmth already present throughout the watch. Over time, the case itself will continue to develop its own patina, ensuring that the Springfield 176 becomes increasingly unique as it is worn. Paired with the rich oxblood cordovan strap, the overall presentation feels cohesive, rugged, and deeply vintage without sacrificing refinement.
Some watches preserve history. The Springfield 176 wears it openly. Every mark, every shift in color, and every surface tells part of a story that began more than a century ago and continues every time the watch is worn.
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 Bronze
- Crown/Hardware: Bronze
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Front: Domed Sapphire Back: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: 22mm Oxblood Cordovan Leather Strap with Bronze Buckle
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 4433438
- Manufacture Year: 1923
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original Blued-Steel with Lumed Markers
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What Makes The Springfield 176 Unique:
The Springfield 176 is a watch that embraces age, character, and craftsmanship in equal measure. Built around a 17-jewel Illinois movement manufactured in 1923, this piece pairs one of the most visually distinctive dials we’ve encountered with a fully machined bronze case that will continue developing its own story as it ages. Together, they create a watch that feels less like a preserved artifact and more like a living object that continues to evolve with its owner.
The dial is unquestionably the centerpiece. More than a century of natural aging has transformed what was once a lighter surface into a rich tapestry of bronze, charcoal, and tobacco tones. The patina spreads across the entire dial with remarkable consistency, creating an appearance that almost resembles aged parchment or weathered metal. Collectors often spend years searching for dials with this level of authentic character because no restoration process can truly replicate the randomness and depth that decades naturally create.
Adding to the uniqueness of the piece are the custom lumed hands and hour markers. Small luminous plots have been thoughtfully integrated around the perimeter of the dial while the cathedral-style hands have also been lumed, creating a dramatic contrast between the watch’s century-old appearance and its modern functionality. In daylight, the lume appears subtle and restrained. In darkness, the dial takes on an entirely different personality, with the glowing markers tracing the perimeter of the watch while the hands remain easily legible. It is an uncommon combination that bridges antique watchmaking and contemporary practicality in a way few conversions can achieve.
The layout itself remains distinctly Illinois. Bold Arabic numerals frame the dial while the recessed sub-seconds register at 6 o’clock preserves the original pocket watch proportions. Even through the heavy patina, the layered construction of the dial remains visible, with a raised central section and separate seconds register adding depth and visual interest.
Turning the watch over reveals the movement that powers it all. The Illinois movement displays beautifully striped bridge work, visible gold-toned gearing, polished steel components, and vivid jewel settings throughout the architecture. Collectors familiar with Illinois movements from the early 1920s will immediately recognize the quality of finishing and attention to detail that helped establish the company as one of America’s premier watch manufacturers. The engraved “The Autocrat” designation remains visible on the bridge, a detail that enthusiasts often appreciate as a reminder of the original model designation.
The fully machined bronze case complements the dial perfectly. Rather than competing with the aged surface, the bronze amplifies the warmth already present throughout the watch. Over time, the case itself will continue to develop its own patina, ensuring that the Springfield 176 becomes increasingly unique as it is worn. Paired with the rich oxblood cordovan strap, the overall presentation feels cohesive, rugged, and deeply vintage without sacrificing refinement.
Some watches preserve history. The Springfield 176 wears it openly. Every mark, every shift in color, and every surface tells part of a story that began more than a century ago and continues every time the watch is worn.
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.
