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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 578 unique: Today we are pleased to present to you this incredible watch from the Illinois Watch Company, our Springfield 578. This 17-jewel pocket watch conversion is a perfect example of the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into each of our products. The bronzed-titanium case of this watch is a stunning feature that gives the piece a vintage look. The copper crown is a classic touch that adds to the overall aesthetic of the watch along with the black leather strap that makes for a comfortable feel and adds a modern touch to the piece. Finally, the rosegold-plated gears are a beautiful addition that gives the watch a luxurious feel. As we turn this watch over to view the movement through the exhibition back, we are pleasantly surprised by the copper inlay elements that are featured throughout this Autocrat movement. With its timeless design and luxurious feel, This watch is sure to stand the test of time.
This watch was originally produced in 1924 by the Illinois Watch Company in Springfield, Illinois. In this same year, the Ford Motor Company revolutionized the manufacturing industry by introducing the first assembly line. This assembly line allowed for the mass production of cars, which drastically reduced the amount of time and labor required to build a car. This new manufacturing process allowed for the production of cars at a much faster rate and at a much lower cost. The assembly line also allowed for the production of cars with improved quality and safety. The introduction of the assembly line drastically changed the way cars were produced and allowed for the production of cars on a much larger scale. The Ford Motor Company's assembly line is still in use today and has had a lasting impact on the automotive industry.
Case Style:This case has been CNC milled from a solid block of aerospace grade titanium. We use pressurized, fine glass beads in a sandblasting chamber to soften the edges and make the finish uniform. 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 3913587 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.
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
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Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 46mm
- Height: 12mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 55mm
- Lugs: 22mm
- Case Finish: Sandblasted 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: 3913587
- Manufacture Year: 1924
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17j
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours




What makes the Springfield 578 unique: Today we are pleased to present to you this incredible watch from the Illinois Watch Company, our Springfield 578. This 17-jewel pocket watch conversion is a perfect example of the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into each of our products. The bronzed-titanium case of this watch is a stunning feature that gives the piece a vintage look. The copper crown is a classic touch that adds to the overall aesthetic of the watch along with the black leather strap that makes for a comfortable feel and adds a modern touch to the piece. Finally, the rosegold-plated gears are a beautiful addition that gives the watch a luxurious feel. As we turn this watch over to view the movement through the exhibition back, we are pleasantly surprised by the copper inlay elements that are featured throughout this Autocrat movement. With its timeless design and luxurious feel, This watch is sure to stand the test of time.
This watch was originally produced in 1924 by the Illinois Watch Company in Springfield, Illinois. In this same year, the Ford Motor Company revolutionized the manufacturing industry by introducing the first assembly line. This assembly line allowed for the mass production of cars, which drastically reduced the amount of time and labor required to build a car. This new manufacturing process allowed for the production of cars at a much faster rate and at a much lower cost. The assembly line also allowed for the production of cars with improved quality and safety. The introduction of the assembly line drastically changed the way cars were produced and allowed for the production of cars on a much larger scale. The Ford Motor Company's assembly line is still in use today and has had a lasting impact on the automotive industry.

Quality Straps
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.
Mission
Our mission is to preserve and enhance the legacy of manufacturing excellence in America. We believe that this legacy is highly relevant in the world of watch manufacturing because our goal is to marry form and function in a way that makes something beautiful that will last forever. American made pocket watches were of such a high quality and decoration that they evolved into more than just a way to tell time. They became traditional heirlooms to be inherited by future generations as a wedding gift or a coming of age treasure. Each piece tells a lively tale of what U.S. manufacturing meant in the past using an intricate language of decorated bridges, plates, gears, and springs. Today, we are restoring these pieces to their former glory and making them relevant again using the best of modern technology.


American Made
We feel proud and blessed to live in the country, state, and city that we do. However, our motivation to build everything in the United States, and to deal locally whenever possible, is derived from a different source of inspiration. We believe that the close relationships, face-to-face interaction, and tight quality control we achieve while dealing domestically produces a truly superior product. Because of this, we are very transparent about where our components are made as we continue to build our in-house capabilities.