Watch Description
What makes the Springfield 557 unique: Today we are very pleased to present to you this absolutely stunning timepiece originally built by the Illinois Watch Company, our Springfield 557. This 23-jewel pocket watch conversion is a perfect example of extraordinary American craftsmanship. We absolutely love how this dial catches your eye with the shimmer of the gold-colored numerals and hands. This watch features a sandblasted titanium case, a gold-plated crown, and rye leather strap. As we turn this watch over to reveal the movement within we are immediately drawn to the intricate design that has been carefully machined across all of the bridge plates. The subtle red inlay of the text plays well with the bright ruby jewels that decorate the movement and bring your eyes to explore all the fine details. The timeless design combines classic elements with modern technology to create a truly one-of-a-kind piece of artistry.
This watch was originally produced by the Illinois Watch Company in Springfield, Illinois in 1923. In this same year, the first successful flight around the world was completed. Two American aviators, Colonel Lowell Smith, and Lieutenant Erik Nelson, flew their plane from Seattle to Tokyo over a period of 175 days. Along the way, they encountered many obstacles such as bad weather and mechanical problems but managed to push through and achieve their dream. This amazing feat inspired countless future pilots to reach for the sky with courage, determination, and grit.
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: Sandblasted Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Gold Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 4209835
- Manufacture Year: 1923
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 23 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Springfield 557 unique: Today we are very pleased to present to you this absolutely stunning timepiece originally built by the Illinois Watch Company, our Springfield 557. This 23-jewel pocket watch conversion is a perfect example of extraordinary American craftsmanship. We absolutely love how this dial catches your eye with the shimmer of the gold-colored numerals and hands. This watch features a sandblasted titanium case, a gold-plated crown, and rye leather strap. As we turn this watch over to reveal the movement within we are immediately drawn to the intricate design that has been carefully machined across all of the bridge plates. The subtle red inlay of the text plays well with the bright ruby jewels that decorate the movement and bring your eyes to explore all the fine details. The timeless design combines classic elements with modern technology to create a truly one-of-a-kind piece of artistry.
This watch was originally produced by the Illinois Watch Company in Springfield, Illinois in 1923. In this same year, the first successful flight around the world was completed. Two American aviators, Colonel Lowell Smith, and Lieutenant Erik Nelson, flew their plane from Seattle to Tokyo over a period of 175 days. Along the way, they encountered many obstacles such as bad weather and mechanical problems but managed to push through and achieve their dream. This amazing feat inspired countless future pilots to reach for the sky with courage, determination, and grit.
Let customers speak for us
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.
