The Springfield 522 (46mm)

The Springfield 522 (46mm)

The Springfield 522 (46mm)
The Springfield 522 (46mm)
The Springfield 522 (46mm)
The Springfield 522 (46mm)
The Springfield 522 (46mm)
The Springfield 522 (46mm)
The Springfield 522 (46mm)
The Springfield 522 (46mm)
The Springfield 522 (46mm)
The Springfield 522 (46mm)
The Springfield 522 (46mm)
The Springfield 522 (46mm)
The Springfield 522 (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 522 unique: Today, we’re pleased to share a wearable piece of history with you — the Springfield 522. Initially produced in 1921 by the Illinois Watch Company in Springfield, Illinois, this watch features a simple yet elegant design highlighted by its cream-colored face and bronze-colored numerals. The dark, arrow-shaped hands stand out remarkably against the face’s subtle hue. We’ve also paired this antique movement with our gunmetal titanium case and nickel-plated crown to complement the dark features of the face. The back of the watch features a nickel-finished bridge plate, which you can view through our unique clear-backed case design. In addition to the stunning bridge plate, this watch features 21 sumptuous jewels, bronze and gold-plated gears, and a going barrel. To finish this remarkable watch, we have paired it with our moss leather watch strap, which perfectly complements the bronze numerals on the face.

We typically expect most of the watches that we work with to have the subdial seconds hand near the bottom of the face, or with a hunting dial off at the 3 position. At first, when we encountered this watch, we assumed that it must have been some type of conversion dial that was originally a hunting-style watch. A lot of companies offered conversion dials that would allow you to rotate the watch and move the crown up to the 12 position on a hunting watch, bringing the seconds hand over to the 3 position. However, after further examination of this watch, it turns out that it was never intended to have a seconds hand at all. This is truly unique and not something we see very often from these older watches, and we absolutely love how it opens up the face in a nice way.

During the same year this watch was manufactured, the New York Yankees purchased 20 acres in The Bronx, New York, to build the original Yankee Stadium. The stadium was completed in 1923 and remained the Yankees’ home until 2008 when construction on the new Yankee Stadium was completed. During their residence at the first stadium, the New York Yankees won 26 of their 27 World Championships.

Case Style:This case has been CNC milled from a solid block of aerospace grade titanium. After machining, we bake the case in a kiln for a specific interval before sandblasting for uniformity. Any imperfections at this stage will scrap the piece, but the result is a beautiful, slightly darker finish that we call gunmetal. 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 3817616 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: Gunmetal Titanium
  • Crown/Hardware: Nickel Plated
  • Water Resistance: 1 ATM
  • Crystals: Gorilla Glass
  • Case Back: Stainless Steel
  • Strap: Leather

Movement

  • Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
  • Serial Number:  3817616
  • Manufacture Year:  1921
  • Function: Manual Wind
  • Jewels: 21j
  • 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 522 unique: Today, we’re pleased to share a wearable piece of history with you — the Springfield 522. Initially produced in 1921 by the Illinois Watch Company in Springfield, Illinois, this watch features a simple yet elegant design highlighted by its cream-colored face and bronze-colored numerals. The dark, arrow-shaped hands stand out remarkably against the face’s subtle hue. We’ve also paired this antique movement with our gunmetal titanium case and nickel-plated crown to complement the dark features of the face. The back of the watch features a nickel-finished bridge plate, which you can view through our unique clear-backed case design. In addition to the stunning bridge plate, this watch features 21 sumptuous jewels, bronze and gold-plated gears, and a going barrel. To finish this remarkable watch, we have paired it with our moss leather watch strap, which perfectly complements the bronze numerals on the face.

We typically expect most of the watches that we work with to have the subdial seconds hand near the bottom of the face, or with a hunting dial off at the 3 position. At first, when we encountered this watch, we assumed that it must have been some type of conversion dial that was originally a hunting-style watch. A lot of companies offered conversion dials that would allow you to rotate the watch and move the crown up to the 12 position on a hunting watch, bringing the seconds hand over to the 3 position. However, after further examination of this watch, it turns out that it was never intended to have a seconds hand at all. This is truly unique and not something we see very often from these older watches, and we absolutely love how it opens up the face in a nice way.

During the same year this watch was manufactured, the New York Yankees purchased 20 acres in The Bronx, New York, to build the original Yankee Stadium. The stadium was completed in 1923 and remained the Yankees’ home until 2008 when construction on the new Yankee Stadium was completed. During their residence at the first stadium, the New York Yankees won 26 of their 27 World Championships.

Quality Straps

View Strap Options

Mission

Learn More About Vortic
Two men walking side by side through a leather curing facility.

American Made

Learn More About The American Artisan Series

Buy Now, Pay Later withAffirm Logo

0% APR for 6 Months