The Springfield 490 (46mm)

The Springfield 490 (46mm)

The Springfield 490 (46mm)
The Springfield 490 (46mm)
The Springfield 490 (46mm)
The Springfield 490 (46mm)
The Springfield 490 (46mm)
The Springfield 490 (46mm)
The Springfield 490 (46mm)
The Springfield 490 (46mm)
The Springfield 490 (46mm)
The Springfield 490 (46mm)

Watch Description

The American mechanism inside this watch is not a replica or an "inspired" piece. It was genuinely carried by an individual, 100 years ago, that depended on it. Each time you wear this watch, you will be transported through time, imagining who this individual was and the work they did to help build our country. Simply put, American Artisan Series watches make you feel something when you put them on. At Vortic, we tell customers that owning a watch isn't nearly as important as owning a story. And, this is an opportunity to be a part of a story that is bigger than yourself. You won't be the first to own this watch, and you certainly won't be the last, so make your chapter count.

The American Artisan Series is a line of fully American Made wristwatches powered by restored, U.S. made pocket watch movements. Individuals commonly scrap pocket watch cases for their precious metal, leaving the original mechanism orphaned. This watch contains the original movement (timepiece), dial (face), and hands from a vintage (1880's - 1950's) pocket watch made by Illinois Watch Company. We call this model "The Springfield" because the company was located in Springfield, Illinois.

What makes the Springfield 490 unique: Today, we are excited to present this breathtaking, luxurious piece originally manufactured by the Illinois Watch Company in 1932 — the Springfield 490. The watch’s dial features a white background and a beautifully understated circular center design. The dial also boasts lavish-looking gold-colored minute and hour hands and lighter-gold-colored numerals, which look stunning against the white background. We paired this one-of-a-kind piece with our scratch-resistant Machined Titanium case, making the complete design glimmer even brighter while emphasizing its sumptuous-looking hands and numerals. We also equipped the watch with a gold-plated crown that further expresses the timepiece’s opulence. On the back of the watch, you can view its 127-grade open-face movement with a nickel finish, pendant setting, and center bridge plate. It also boasts gold-plated gears powered by 17 stunning jewels. Finally, we paired the watch with our artisan-designed and comfortable Rye leather watch strap. The Illinois Watch Company initially manufactured the pocket watch in Springfield, Illinois, in 1932 — the same year that the Radio City Music Hall opened in Midtown Manhattan. The iconic venue located inside Rockefeller Center serves as the headquarters for the Rockettes, and it has hosted numerous important events, including concerts, movie premieres, the NFL draft, the Grammy Awards, the Emmy Awards, and the Tony Awards. The venue bears the nickname “the Showplace of the Nation” because of its cultural significance, and it became an official New York City Landmark in 1978.

Case Style:This case has been CNC milled from a solid block of aerospace grade titanium. The case is intentionally left unpolished so the intricate tool marks made during the milling process remain visible. Titanium is the ultimate material for strength to weight ratio. Titanium has a darker look than steel, and due to its low thermal conductivity, feels warm to the touch. These characteristics create an enduring, highly wearable, distinctive piece.

Movement: The manually wound, antique, pocket watch movement inside this watch has been meticulously restored to as close to original condition as possible. Vortic has an exclusive group of highly experienced watchmakers that specialize in vintage watches. Before its use in a wristwatch, each movement is completely disassembled, cleaned, oiled, and calibrated. Each finished Vortic watch is tested for at least a week before completion.

This watch's movement is serial number 5521182 from the Illinois Watch Company. 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.

Watch Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
  • Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
  • Case Dimensions: 
    • Diameter: 46mm
    • Height: 12mm
    • Lug-to-Lug: 55mm
    • Lugs: 22mm
  • Case Finish: Machined Titanium
  • Crown/Hardware: Gold Plated
  • Water Resistance: 1 ATM
  • Crystals: Gorilla Glass
  • Case Back: Stainless Steel
  • Strap: Leather

Movement

  • Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
  • Serial Number:  5521182
  • Manufacture Year:  1932
  • Function: Manual Wind
  • Jewels: 17j
  • Hands: Original
  • Size: 12s
  • Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
It looks like it would have been right at home on the wrist of Indiana Jones! This watch is a showpiece as much as it is as unique timepiece!
—John from Indiana
After receiving the watch in the mail, I was surprised to see the watch somehow looked better in person than it did in the photos. I didn't think that would be possible!
—Mark from Massachusetts
The skeleton back is amazing and the packaging was perfect. To honor the past with details like this is truly impressive.
—Brad from Florida
I own so called "high end" watches such as Rolex, Panerai, and Zenith but they pale in comparison to my two Vortic models which I wear everyday to work.
—Todd from Ohio
What makes the Springfield 490 unique: Today, we are excited to present this breathtaking, luxurious piece originally manufactured by the Illinois Watch Company in 1932 — the Springfield 490. The watch’s dial features a white background and a beautifully understated circular center design. The dial also boasts lavish-looking gold-colored minute and hour hands and lighter-gold-colored numerals, which look stunning against the white background. We paired this one-of-a-kind piece with our scratch-resistant Machined Titanium case, making the complete design glimmer even brighter while emphasizing its sumptuous-looking hands and numerals. We also equipped the watch with a gold-plated crown that further expresses the timepiece’s opulence. On the back of the watch, you can view its 127-grade open-face movement with a nickel finish, pendant setting, and center bridge plate. It also boasts gold-plated gears powered by 17 stunning jewels. Finally, we paired the watch with our artisan-designed and comfortable Rye leather watch strap. The Illinois Watch Company initially manufactured the pocket watch in Springfield, Illinois, in 1932 — the same year that the Radio City Music Hall opened in Midtown Manhattan. The iconic venue located inside Rockefeller Center serves as the headquarters for the Rockettes, and it has hosted numerous important events, including concerts, movie premieres, the NFL draft, the Grammy Awards, the Emmy Awards, and the Tony Awards. The venue bears the nickname “the Showplace of the Nation” because of its cultural significance, and it became an official New York City Landmark in 1978.

Quality Straps

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Mission

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Two men walking side by side through a leather curing facility.

American Made

Learn More About The American Artisan Series

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