Watch Description
What makes the Springfield 499 unique: Today, we're thrilled to showcase this opulent-looking piece initially produced by the Illinois Watch Company — the Springfield 499. This timepiece boasts a unique dial with a cushion-shaped outline design and remarkably stylized numerals. The front of the watch also features a distinct subdial and gold-colored diamond kite watch hands atop its grayish-cream background. We paired this sumptuous pocket watch with a solid bronze case and gold-plated crown, emphasizing its lavish design. The bronze case features an open back revealing the pocket watch's 274-grade open-face movement with a going barrel and reed regulator. The piece also displays a "Capital" engraving with a Serif signing style. You can also view the watch's bronze-plated gears powered by 21 jewels throughout its ¾ plate. Finally, we paired the watch with our stylish and comfortable Olive leather watch strap. The Illinois Watch Company originally manufactured the pocket watch in Springfield, Illinois, in 1926 — the same year that the Radio Corporation of America created the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). Although NBC is now known for its television network, it began as a radio broadcast. In 1929, NBC created its distinct three-note chime that they still use today. Many speculate that the song uses the notes "G-E-C" to stand for the General Electric Company, NBC's parent company until 2013.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
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 47mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 55mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Machined Bronze
- Crown/Hardware: Gold Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 4740101
- Manufacture Year: 1926
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 21 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.
