Watch Description
What makes the Springfield 479 unique: Today, we’re thrilled to present this highly unique watch originally crafted by the Illinois Watch Company in 1920 — the Springfield 479. The dial sports a light-tan background with distinct and decorative dark numerals. The dial’s background also features a gorgeous ornamental center pattern and light navy blue minute and hour hands. We equipped the piece with our scratch-resistant Machined Titanium case and nickel-plated crown. The glistening case brings further attention to the pocket watch’s unique numerals and background design. The back of the watch displays 405-grade open-face movement with a center bridge, nickel finish, and pendant setting. The watch also features three adjustable positions. The open-back Machined Titanium case also reveals the watch’s robust bronze-plated gears powered by 17 jewels. Finally, we matched the watch with our artisan-crafted Stout leather strap that goes perfectly with the dial’s numerals. The Illinois Watch Company manufactured the pocket watch in Springfield, Illinois, in 1920 — the same year that Congress ratified the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. Many women had voting rights in pre-revolutionary colonies in the 18th century, but every state, aside from New Jersey, created constitutions that stripped voting rights from women after the United States became independent. New Jersey was the final state to deny women the right to vote after they rescinded female voting rights in 1807. Some states and territories began granting women the right to vote in the late 19th century, but Congress continuously denied national women’s suffrage until they finally passed the 19th Amendment in 1919, which America then adopted in 1920.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
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 47mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 55mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Machined Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Nickel Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 3640289
- Manufacture Year: 1920
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
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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.
