Watch Description
What makes the Springfield 512 unique: Today, we’re happy to showcase this highly original piece initially produced by the Illinois Watch Company — the Springfield 512. The timepiece features a stunning dial with a unique center pattern and bold black numerals. The dial also has black diamond kite hands that complement the numerals and make the antique piece even more eye-catching. We encased the original pocket watch within our robust, gleaming Machined Titanium case and equipped it with a copper crown, making the piece look even more luxurious. On the back of the watch, you can view its historic 274-grade open-face movement with a going barrel and ¾ plate. The movement also features a stunning engraving that reads, “Executive,” a fitting label for this one-of-kind piece. Finally, the back of the watch boasts sumptuous and powerful bronze-plated gears powered by 21 jewels. We equipped the watch with our artisan-designed Stout leather watch strap, matching the dial’s hands and numerals. The Illinois Watch Company originally manufactured the pocket watch in Springfield, Illinois, in 1925 — the same year Miriam “Ma” Ferguson became the first governor of Texas. Ferguson also served as the First Lady of Texas before becoming governor, but the Texas State Senate impeached her husband, James. E. Ferguson, in 1917 because he vetoed appropriations for the University of Texas. Miriam Ferguson was the second female to become governor in the United States. The first was Nellie Tayloe Ross, the 14th governor of Wyoming.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: Copper
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 4685636
- Manufacture Year: 1925
- 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.
