Watch Description
What Makes The Lancaster 143 Unique:
The Hamilton 143 captures the quiet confidence of American watchmaking during the mid-1930s, a period when Hamilton had firmly established itself as one of the nation's premier manufacturers of precision timepieces. Built around a compact 17-jewel Hamilton Grade 917 10-size movement produced in 1936, this watch reflects the company's philosophy that exceptional engineering did not require unnecessary embellishment. By the mid-1930s, Hamilton had refined the Grade 917 into one of its most dependable everyday movements, offering the same meticulous craftsmanship that had earned the brand its reputation while embracing a cleaner, more modern aesthetic.
The dial immediately showcases that restrained elegance. Soft ivory tones have gracefully mellowed over the decades, while applied gilt baton hour markers replace traditional numerals to create a distinctly Art Deco appearance. Thin black minute track printing frames the dial with crisp precision, and the recessed subsidiary seconds register at six o'clock is accented by alternating single and double markings that lend a subtle classical touch. The slender gilt hands complete the composition with remarkable simplicity, allowing the naturally aged patina and gentle imperfections of the original dial to tell the story of ninety years of careful preservation. Rather than distracting from the design, the honest signs of age give this Hamilton a warmth and authenticity that cannot be recreated.
Turning the watch over reveals Hamilton's beautifully executed Grade 917 movement, finished in bright nickel with broad Geneva striping that catches the light across every bridge. Collectors will immediately recognize Hamilton's signature spiral-pattern ratchet wheel, one of the movement's most distinctive visual details, alongside the elegant three-quarter plate architecture that became synonymous with the company's late-era pocket watches. Marked "Adjusted 3 Positions," the movement was factory regulated to maintain dependable accuracy regardless of how it was carried, while its 17 synthetic ruby jewels reduce friction throughout the gear train for smooth, reliable operation. The exposed balance assembly and polished steel components demonstrate Hamilton's commitment to mechanical refinement during one of the company's most respected production periods.
Housing this historic movement is Vortic's 43mm Lancaster case, precision-machined from lightweight Grade 5 titanium with a softly tumbled finish that pairs beautifully with the warm sandblasted bronze bezel. The contrast between the cool titanium, evolving bronze, and rich brown leather strap creates a balanced palette that feels both rugged and refined. Together, these modern American-made components preserve a Hamilton movement that has already measured nearly a century of history, ensuring it continues marking time for generations to come.
Movement Manufacturer Information
The movement inside of this watch was made by Hamilton Watch Company. We call this model "The Lancaster" because the company was located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Hamilton is named after famous Pennsylvanian Alexander Hamilton and is the result of multiple re-organizations of attempted watch companies in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1892, Hamilton had a reputation for superior quality and maintained half of the railroad watch market share during some of the most prolific years of American railroad history. During World War II, Hamilton was integral to the production of accurate timepieces for the Military. Deemed "the watch that won the war," the company established an employee-run newsletter so that employees turned soldiers could keep up with life at the factory. While the original factory still stands as luxury apartments, the company stopped producing watches in the US in 1969. Hamilton now produces watches in Switzerland and is owned by the Swatch Group.
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Watch Specifications
- Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
- Model Year: 2025
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Diameter: 43mm
- Case Material: Tumbled Titanium Case with Sandblasted Bronze Bezel
- Crown/Hardware: Titanium
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Titanium
- Strap: 22mm Brown Leather Strap with Steel Buckle
Movement
- Manufacturer: Hamilton Watch Company
- Serial Number: X12613
- Manufacture Year: 1936
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 10s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What Makes The Lancaster 143 Unique:
The Hamilton 143 captures the quiet confidence of American watchmaking during the mid-1930s, a period when Hamilton had firmly established itself as one of the nation's premier manufacturers of precision timepieces. Built around a compact 17-jewel Hamilton Grade 917 10-size movement produced in 1936, this watch reflects the company's philosophy that exceptional engineering did not require unnecessary embellishment. By the mid-1930s, Hamilton had refined the Grade 917 into one of its most dependable everyday movements, offering the same meticulous craftsmanship that had earned the brand its reputation while embracing a cleaner, more modern aesthetic.
The dial immediately showcases that restrained elegance. Soft ivory tones have gracefully mellowed over the decades, while applied gilt baton hour markers replace traditional numerals to create a distinctly Art Deco appearance. Thin black minute track printing frames the dial with crisp precision, and the recessed subsidiary seconds register at six o'clock is accented by alternating single and double markings that lend a subtle classical touch. The slender gilt hands complete the composition with remarkable simplicity, allowing the naturally aged patina and gentle imperfections of the original dial to tell the story of ninety years of careful preservation. Rather than distracting from the design, the honest signs of age give this Hamilton a warmth and authenticity that cannot be recreated.
Turning the watch over reveals Hamilton's beautifully executed Grade 917 movement, finished in bright nickel with broad Geneva striping that catches the light across every bridge. Collectors will immediately recognize Hamilton's signature spiral-pattern ratchet wheel, one of the movement's most distinctive visual details, alongside the elegant three-quarter plate architecture that became synonymous with the company's late-era pocket watches. Marked "Adjusted 3 Positions," the movement was factory regulated to maintain dependable accuracy regardless of how it was carried, while its 17 synthetic ruby jewels reduce friction throughout the gear train for smooth, reliable operation. The exposed balance assembly and polished steel components demonstrate Hamilton's commitment to mechanical refinement during one of the company's most respected production periods.
Housing this historic movement is Vortic's 43mm Lancaster case, precision-machined from lightweight Grade 5 titanium with a softly tumbled finish that pairs beautifully with the warm sandblasted bronze bezel. The contrast between the cool titanium, evolving bronze, and rich brown leather strap creates a balanced palette that feels both rugged and refined. Together, these modern American-made components preserve a Hamilton movement that has already measured nearly a century of history, ensuring it continues marking time for generations to come.
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.
