What makes the Chicago 012 unique: We’re excited to bring you a remarkable piece of timekeeping history with today’s watch that the Elgin National Watch Company initially built in 1928 — the Chicago 012. This piece’s elegant face features a crisp, white dial with black hour numerals and deep, red minute numerals. The dial is further complemented by this watch’s eye-catching blued-steel cathedral hands and convenient subdial. We have paired this striking antique movement with our V3 machined titanium case and topped it with a titanium crown to complement the clean lines of the dial. The rear of the watch, which is showcased through our unique clear-backed case, mirrors the elegance displayed in the watch’s face. The stunning ¾ plate features an intricate engraving that encircles the polished-nickel movement. In addition to the plate, this movement also features 17 stunning, screw-set jewels encircled by shining gold-plated gears. To highlight the dial’s beauty even further, we have attached our comfortable, black leather watch strap.

In 1928, the same year this watch was manufactured in Elgin, Illinois, Charles Jenkins from Washington D.C. filed for the first television license from the Federal Radio Commission. Jenkins was a pioneer in television and invented a mechanical television system that utilized a rotating disk with holes arranged in a spiral pattern. He also established the first commercial television station in the states, W3XK, which first aired from Jenkins Labs in DC five nights a week.