Watch Description
What Makes The Springfield 177 Unique:
The Springfield 177 stands out immediately through a dial that carries a warmth uncommon among antique American watches. Built around a 17-jewel Illinois movement manufactured in 1921, this piece comes from a period when Illinois was producing movements known for their reliability and increasingly refined finishing. During the early 1920s, the company had firmly established itself as one of America’s most respected watch manufacturers, creating movements that balanced daily practicality with visual elegance.
The first thing collectors will notice is the rich honey-gold coloration across the dial. Rather than bright white enamel or silver tones more commonly associated with the era, this dial has developed a warm, almost parchment-like appearance that gives the watch a distinctive personality. Bold black Arabic numerals create strong contrast, while the elegant blued open-circle hands add a level of visual detail that immediately separates the watch from simpler utilitarian examples. Their elongated shape and decorative cutouts feel distinctly period-correct while introducing a sense of refinement.
The recessed sub-seconds register at 6 o’clock remains true to the proportions of the original pocket watch design, preserving the visual balance collectors often seek. The simplicity of the dial allows the natural aging and coloration to become the focal point rather than competing for attention with excessive decoration.
Turning the watch over reveals the movement beneath the exhibition caseback, and this is where enthusiasts will likely spend additional time. The 17-jewel Illinois movement displays striped finishing across its bridges, polished gearing, and ruby jewel settings throughout. Collectors familiar with Illinois movements often appreciate the company’s restrained approach to decoration, allowing the mechanical architecture itself to become the visual attraction. The engraved “Adjusted” designation and visible jewel settings reinforce the movement’s higher-grade construction and attention to precision.
The V3 case keeps the overall presentation clean and contemporary, pairing machined stainless steel with a black Cordovan leather strap that creates a stronger contrast against the warm dial tones. The result feels balanced between dress and utility, with enough visual presence to stand apart without overwhelming the original movement.
Some watches announce themselves through complexity. The Springfield 177 takes a different approach, relying on proportion, color, and over a century of honest character.
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 Diameter: 45mm
- Case Material: Machined Stainless Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Front: Domed Sapphire Back: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: 22mm Black Cordovan Leather Strap with Steel Buckle
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 3912487
- Manufacture Year: 1921
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original Blued-Steel
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What Makes The Springfield 177 Unique:
The Springfield 177 stands out immediately through a dial that carries a warmth uncommon among antique American watches. Built around a 17-jewel Illinois movement manufactured in 1921, this piece comes from a period when Illinois was producing movements known for their reliability and increasingly refined finishing. During the early 1920s, the company had firmly established itself as one of America’s most respected watch manufacturers, creating movements that balanced daily practicality with visual elegance.
The first thing collectors will notice is the rich honey-gold coloration across the dial. Rather than bright white enamel or silver tones more commonly associated with the era, this dial has developed a warm, almost parchment-like appearance that gives the watch a distinctive personality. Bold black Arabic numerals create strong contrast, while the elegant blued open-circle hands add a level of visual detail that immediately separates the watch from simpler utilitarian examples. Their elongated shape and decorative cutouts feel distinctly period-correct while introducing a sense of refinement.
The recessed sub-seconds register at 6 o’clock remains true to the proportions of the original pocket watch design, preserving the visual balance collectors often seek. The simplicity of the dial allows the natural aging and coloration to become the focal point rather than competing for attention with excessive decoration.
Turning the watch over reveals the movement beneath the exhibition caseback, and this is where enthusiasts will likely spend additional time. The 17-jewel Illinois movement displays striped finishing across its bridges, polished gearing, and ruby jewel settings throughout. Collectors familiar with Illinois movements often appreciate the company’s restrained approach to decoration, allowing the mechanical architecture itself to become the visual attraction. The engraved “Adjusted” designation and visible jewel settings reinforce the movement’s higher-grade construction and attention to precision.
The V3 case keeps the overall presentation clean and contemporary, pairing machined stainless steel with a black Cordovan leather strap that creates a stronger contrast against the warm dial tones. The result feels balanced between dress and utility, with enough visual presence to stand apart without overwhelming the original movement.
Some watches announce themselves through complexity. The Springfield 177 takes a different approach, relying on proportion, color, and over a century of honest character.
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.
