The Chicago 419 is the 419th one-of-a-kind piece in Vortic's "Chicago" line of the American Artisan Series. This watch contains the original movement (timepiece), dial (face), and hands from a vintage (1880’s – 1950’s) pocket watch. The American Artisan Series is a line of fully American Made wristwatches powered by restored, U.S. made pocket watch movements.

What makes the Chicago 419 Unique: Today’s Watch of the Day is the Chicago 419, a beautiful example of a classic Elgin with a very special and rare Strand movement from 1917. These older Elgin movements have a way of making a nice clean and simple dial look so distinguished and sophisticated. Our mojave strap and machined titanium case compliment this watch in a way that makes it very modern rustic, without being overstated. We topped it off with a copper crown to bring some contrast to the Blue Steel solid kite hands. This watch was manufactured in 1917 in Elgin, Illinois, which proved to be a somewhat difficult time for the Chicago area as WWI was breaking out. The largest immigrant population of Chicago at that time was primarily German-Americans, which created a lot of tension as the city was trying desperately to be portrayed as neutral to the war, so as to not upset some of its citizens who were sympathizing with Germany. Elgin continued to manufacture watches throughout this time and we are happy to see these watches continue to come through the shop from time to time.

1917

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