Watch Description
What makes the Springfield 587 unique: Today we are pleased to present to you this watch originally produced by the Illinois Watch Company, our Springfield 587. A combination of modern technology and vintage craftsmanship, this wristwatch conversion is a work of art and beauty. Built from an antique 19-jewel Illinois Watch Company pocket watch, this timepiece features a sandblasted titanium case, a copper crown, and an oxblood cordovan leather strap. We love how the soft tone of this textured dial pairs beautifully with the soft finish of the case, letting these dark blue open-kite hands and dark numerals jump out and grab your attention. As we turn this watch over to reveal the movement within, we are met with a stunning display of copper inlaid text, gold-plated gears, and 19 screw-set jewels to keep everything turning nicely. This watch is inscribed with O. Cohen, Erie, PA. It is hard to nail down exactly what this is a reference to, but we assume that Cohen was a jeweler in Erie that had a number of different private label watches made for his jewelry store, as we found a few other models from other watch companies as well that have the same insignia.
Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry was a prominent figure in the War of 1812, particularly in the Battle of Lake Erie. In 1813, Perry was given command of a squadron of nine vessels and was tasked with defending the lake from the British. On September 10, 1813, Perry and his squadron engaged the British in a fierce battle. After hours of fighting, Perry and his men emerged victorious, capturing the entire British fleet. His victory was a major turning point in the war, as it gave the United States control of the Great Lakes. Perry's legacy lives on today, as he is remembered as one of the most important figures in the War of 1812.
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: Sandblasted Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Copper
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 3045551
- Manufacture Year: 1916
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 19 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Springfield 587 unique: Today we are pleased to present to you this watch originally produced by the Illinois Watch Company, our Springfield 587. A combination of modern technology and vintage craftsmanship, this wristwatch conversion is a work of art and beauty. Built from an antique 19-jewel Illinois Watch Company pocket watch, this timepiece features a sandblasted titanium case, a copper crown, and an oxblood cordovan leather strap. We love how the soft tone of this textured dial pairs beautifully with the soft finish of the case, letting these dark blue open-kite hands and dark numerals jump out and grab your attention. As we turn this watch over to reveal the movement within, we are met with a stunning display of copper inlaid text, gold-plated gears, and 19 screw-set jewels to keep everything turning nicely. This watch is inscribed with O. Cohen, Erie, PA. It is hard to nail down exactly what this is a reference to, but we assume that Cohen was a jeweler in Erie that had a number of different private label watches made for his jewelry store, as we found a few other models from other watch companies as well that have the same insignia.
Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry was a prominent figure in the War of 1812, particularly in the Battle of Lake Erie. In 1813, Perry was given command of a squadron of nine vessels and was tasked with defending the lake from the British. On September 10, 1813, Perry and his squadron engaged the British in a fierce battle. After hours of fighting, Perry and his men emerged victorious, capturing the entire British fleet. His victory was a major turning point in the war, as it gave the United States control of the Great Lakes. Perry's legacy lives on today, as he is remembered as one of the most important figures in the War of 1812.
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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.