Vortic Watch: The Springfield 586

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Vortic Watch Company's mission is to salvage, restore, and preserve an important part of United States history. Today, beautiful antique pocket watch mechanisms are often cast aside when their original case is scrapped for precious metal value. American pocket watches were made with an incredible level of quality. So, after 100 years, many simply need a little patience from a skilled individual to make them run like new. Vortic fully restores these mechanisms and builds them into wristwatches to make them functional again and to preserve them for another 100+ years.

Watch - An incredible piece of history, this watch was initially manufactured in 1920 by Illinois Watch Company — the Springfield 586. This remarkable 19-jewel pocket watch has been converted into a machined titanium case, with a gold plated crown and the comfortable oxblood cordovan leather strap. The watch draws people in with all of its wonderful gold-colored details, especially these incredibly unique and playful numerals. The dial is also accented by gold open-kite hands, that help to accent the gold-plated crown and hardware. As you turn the timepiece over, you reveal the movement within, gold-plated gears stand out beneath the highly decorated bridge plates. This 19-jewel piece is transcribed with the Transit grade markings with copper inlay and features brass hardware throughout. 

Case - This case has been CNC milled from a solid block of aerospace grade titanium. The case is intentionally left unpolished so the intricate tool marks made during the milling process remain visible. 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 3705998 from the Illinois Watch Company

Watchmaker History: Originally called the Springfield Watch Company, the Illinois Watch Company came to Springfield, Illinois in 1869 while the "modern" industry was fairly new but highly promising. City officials felt that the addition of a watch 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 eventually 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 Specs:

  • Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
  • Warranty: Vortic's Full 1-Year Warranty
  • Case Dimensions: 
    • Diameter: 47mm
    • Height: 12mm
    • Lug-to-Lug: 55mm
    • Lugs: 22mm
  • Case Finish: Machined Titanium
  • Crown/Hardware: Gold-Plated
  • Water Resistance: 1 ATM
  • Crystals: Sapphire
  • Case Back: Stainless Steel
  • Strap: Leather

Movement Specs:

  • Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
  • Serial Number:  3705998
  • Manufacture Year:  1920
  • Function: Manual Wind
  • Jewels: 19 Jewels
  • Hands: Original
  • Size: 12s
  • Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
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