Watch Description
What Makes The Boston 073 Unique:
The Boston 073 showcases the understated elegance that made Waltham one of America’s most respected watch manufacturers at the turn of the twentieth century. Built around a 17-jewel Waltham movement manufactured in 1903, this watch reflects an era when precision engineering was beginning to merge with refined aesthetics. More than 120 years later, it remains a beautiful example of why Waltham earned an international reputation for producing some of the finest timepieces of the American Industrial Age.
One of the first details collectors will notice is the movement itself. Beautifully decorated with intricate damaskeening across the bridges and plates, it features polished winding wheels, ruby jewels set in gold settings, and the graceful finishing expected from Waltham’s higher-grade movements of the period. Unlike many later production watches that emphasized utility over ornamentation, this movement was manufactured during a time when craftsmanship was proudly displayed, making the exhibition caseback every bit as captivating as the dial.
Adding another layer of historical interest is the elegant script engraving reading “A.W.W.C. Riverside Waltham, Mass.” While not a retailer signature, this inscription references the American Waltham Watch Company and its famed Riverside grade, one of the company’s long-running premium product families. The Riverside name became synonymous with dependable, finely finished movements and represented Waltham’s continued pursuit of precision throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. For collectors, seeing the Riverside designation immediately places this movement within one of Waltham’s most recognizable and respected lineages.
The dial embraces classic American restraint. Crisp black Roman numerals sit atop a brilliant white enamel-style dial, complemented by delicate blued-steel spade hands and a finely printed outer minute track accented with subtle red five-minute markers. The uncluttered design allows every element to breathe, creating a level of balance and readability that has remained timeless for well over a century. The recessed small seconds register at six o’clock further reinforces its traditional pocket watch origins while adding welcome visual depth.
Vortic pairs this historic movement with its 45mm Boston case, crafted from sandblasted 316L stainless steel and accented by a DLC-black stainless steel bezel that frames the dial with modern contrast. A tumbled Grade 5 titanium crown provides lightweight durability, while the black American-made Cordovan leather strap completes the monochromatic palette with understated sophistication. The result is a contemporary presentation that allows the century-old movement and dial to remain the unquestioned focal points.
The Boston 073 represents the enduring philosophy that made American watchmaking legendary: exceptional engineering presented with quiet confidence rather than unnecessary extravagance. Between its beautifully finished Riverside movement, timeless Roman numeral dial, and thoughtful combination of modern materials, this watch offers collectors an elegant piece of Waltham history that feels every bit as relevant today as it did in 1903.
Movement Manufacturer Information
The movement inside of this watch was made by Waltham Watch Company. We call this model "The Boston" because of the company's proximity to the city.
Also known as American Watch Company and American Waltham Watch Company, Waltham was one of the leaders in attempting an entirely new concept, machines making machines. Prior to this, a watchmaker would hand-make each part of a movement one-at-a-time. Operating from 1851-1957, Waltham called its product the "Scientific Watch." Waltham's innovative, precise machining techniques made parts interchangeable, and their early version of the assembly line made high-quality watches efficient to produce. Legend has it that Henry Ford drew inspiration for his assembly line production from a visit to Waltham's factory. Located on the bank of the Charles River in "Watch City" (Waltham), Massachusetts, the factory has since been converted to apartment lofts.
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
- Model Year: 2025
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Diameter: 45mm
- Case Material: Sandblasted Stainless Steel Case with DLC Stainless Steel Bezel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Front: Domed Sapphire Back: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: 22mm Black Cordovan Leather Strap by Horween with DLC Steel Buckle
Movement
- Manufacturer: Waltham Watch Company
- Serial Number: 7074589
- Manufacture Year: 1903
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What Makes The Boston 073 Unique:
The Boston 073 showcases the understated elegance that made Waltham one of America’s most respected watch manufacturers at the turn of the twentieth century. Built around a 17-jewel Waltham movement manufactured in 1903, this watch reflects an era when precision engineering was beginning to merge with refined aesthetics. More than 120 years later, it remains a beautiful example of why Waltham earned an international reputation for producing some of the finest timepieces of the American Industrial Age.
One of the first details collectors will notice is the movement itself. Beautifully decorated with intricate damaskeening across the bridges and plates, it features polished winding wheels, ruby jewels set in gold settings, and the graceful finishing expected from Waltham’s higher-grade movements of the period. Unlike many later production watches that emphasized utility over ornamentation, this movement was manufactured during a time when craftsmanship was proudly displayed, making the exhibition caseback every bit as captivating as the dial.
Adding another layer of historical interest is the elegant script engraving reading “A.W.W.C. Riverside Waltham, Mass.” While not a retailer signature, this inscription references the American Waltham Watch Company and its famed Riverside grade, one of the company’s long-running premium product families. The Riverside name became synonymous with dependable, finely finished movements and represented Waltham’s continued pursuit of precision throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. For collectors, seeing the Riverside designation immediately places this movement within one of Waltham’s most recognizable and respected lineages.
The dial embraces classic American restraint. Crisp black Roman numerals sit atop a brilliant white enamel-style dial, complemented by delicate blued-steel spade hands and a finely printed outer minute track accented with subtle red five-minute markers. The uncluttered design allows every element to breathe, creating a level of balance and readability that has remained timeless for well over a century. The recessed small seconds register at six o’clock further reinforces its traditional pocket watch origins while adding welcome visual depth.
Vortic pairs this historic movement with its 45mm Boston case, crafted from sandblasted 316L stainless steel and accented by a DLC-black stainless steel bezel that frames the dial with modern contrast. A tumbled Grade 5 titanium crown provides lightweight durability, while the black American-made Cordovan leather strap completes the monochromatic palette with understated sophistication. The result is a contemporary presentation that allows the century-old movement and dial to remain the unquestioned focal points.
The Boston 073 represents the enduring philosophy that made American watchmaking legendary: exceptional engineering presented with quiet confidence rather than unnecessary extravagance. Between its beautifully finished Riverside movement, timeless Roman numeral dial, and thoughtful combination of modern materials, this watch offers collectors an elegant piece of Waltham history that feels every bit as relevant today as it did in 1903.
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.
