Watch Description
What Makes The Springfield 191 Unique:
The Springfield 191 reflects a pivotal moment in American watchmaking history, built around a 19-jewel Illinois movement produced in 1918, just as the First World War was drawing to a close. By this period, the Illinois Watch Company had earned a reputation for producing exceptionally refined pocket watches that balanced precision with elegant design. With its higher jewel count, meticulous finishing, and beautifully preserved original dial, this movement represents the level of craftsmanship that helped make Illinois one of America's most respected watch manufacturers during the early twentieth century.
The first thing that draws the eye is the wonderfully understated dial. A soft parchment finish has aged naturally over more than a century, complemented by warm gilt Arabic numerals that remain remarkably crisp against the patinated surface. Square spade hands add a distinctive touch that collectors immediately recognize as a hallmark of the era, while the dotted minute track creates a pleasing rhythm around the perimeter of the dial. At six o'clock, the recessed subsidiary seconds register is cleanly printed with squared-off numerals that maintain the balanced proportions of the design. Light wear and gentle patina throughout the dial serve as reminders of its long history, giving the watch an authenticity that cannot be replicated by modern finishing techniques.
Turning the watch over reveals the beautifully decorated 19-jewel Illinois movement, where collectors will immediately appreciate the company's characteristic bridge layout and bright nickel finish. Flowing Geneva striping stretches across the bridges, contrasting with polished steel winding wheels and richly colored synthetic ruby jewels. The higher 19-jewel configuration reduces friction at additional wear points compared to standard movements of the period, reflecting Illinois' commitment to producing watches that combined longevity with excellent timekeeping. The exposed balance assembly and finely finished regulator showcase the precision engineering that made Illinois movements highly regarded among both railroad professionals and discerning civilian owners.
Surrounding this century-old movement is Vortic's 45mm Springfield case, crafted from solid bronze and featuring a matching sandblasted bronze bezel and crown. Over time, the bronze will develop a unique patina shaped entirely by its owner's environment and wear, ensuring no two examples age exactly alike. Paired with the warm tan leather strap, the evolving bronze echoes the golden tones of the original dial and hands, creating a cohesive aesthetic that feels both historic and timeless. The Springfield 191 is a fitting continuation of American craftsmanship, preserving an exceptional Illinois movement while allowing it to begin an entirely new chapter on the wrist.
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.
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 Bronze
- Crown/Hardware: Bronze
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Front: Domed Sapphire Back: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: 22mm Tan Leather Strap with Bronze Buckle
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 3369909
- Manufacture Year: 1918
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 19 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What Makes The Springfield 191 Unique:
The Springfield 191 reflects a pivotal moment in American watchmaking history, built around a 19-jewel Illinois movement produced in 1918, just as the First World War was drawing to a close. By this period, the Illinois Watch Company had earned a reputation for producing exceptionally refined pocket watches that balanced precision with elegant design. With its higher jewel count, meticulous finishing, and beautifully preserved original dial, this movement represents the level of craftsmanship that helped make Illinois one of America's most respected watch manufacturers during the early twentieth century.
The first thing that draws the eye is the wonderfully understated dial. A soft parchment finish has aged naturally over more than a century, complemented by warm gilt Arabic numerals that remain remarkably crisp against the patinated surface. Square spade hands add a distinctive touch that collectors immediately recognize as a hallmark of the era, while the dotted minute track creates a pleasing rhythm around the perimeter of the dial. At six o'clock, the recessed subsidiary seconds register is cleanly printed with squared-off numerals that maintain the balanced proportions of the design. Light wear and gentle patina throughout the dial serve as reminders of its long history, giving the watch an authenticity that cannot be replicated by modern finishing techniques.
Turning the watch over reveals the beautifully decorated 19-jewel Illinois movement, where collectors will immediately appreciate the company's characteristic bridge layout and bright nickel finish. Flowing Geneva striping stretches across the bridges, contrasting with polished steel winding wheels and richly colored synthetic ruby jewels. The higher 19-jewel configuration reduces friction at additional wear points compared to standard movements of the period, reflecting Illinois' commitment to producing watches that combined longevity with excellent timekeeping. The exposed balance assembly and finely finished regulator showcase the precision engineering that made Illinois movements highly regarded among both railroad professionals and discerning civilian owners.
Surrounding this century-old movement is Vortic's 45mm Springfield case, crafted from solid bronze and featuring a matching sandblasted bronze bezel and crown. Over time, the bronze will develop a unique patina shaped entirely by its owner's environment and wear, ensuring no two examples age exactly alike. Paired with the warm tan leather strap, the evolving bronze echoes the golden tones of the original dial and hands, creating a cohesive aesthetic that feels both historic and timeless. The Springfield 191 is a fitting continuation of American craftsmanship, preserving an exceptional Illinois movement while allowing it to begin an entirely new chapter on the wrist.
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.
