Vortic Watch: The Post-War Conversion Watch

The concept of "Swords into Plowshares" is manifested in full form in this exceptional, limited edition release from Vortic Watch Company, the Post-War Conversion Watch. 

These military-engineered pocket watches, engineered and manufactured during World War II, were first created to coordinate dangerous aerial bombing missions of B-17 squadrons over enemy territory, as well as the advancement of battalions of infantrymen from trench to trench across desolate, scarred battlefields. They were later converted by American watch companies, like Hamilton, to be used, instead, to coordinate the daily life of US citizens as they enjoyed their hard-fought freedoms. For these former soldiers of the Second World War, checking the time on a 12-hour dial as opposed to their watch's original 24-hour dial, must have given them a sense of pride and accomplishment.

And now, sourcing these historically significant pocket watches and converting them into wristwatches that are able to be worn, recognized, and celebrated daily is an honor that Vortic Watch Company holds in the highest regard. Only 12 wristwatches were sourced and created for this limited edition release. 

The Post-War Conversion Watch features a 12-hour dial, with an ivory background and black Arabic numerals. The numerals use a classic serif font with a slight swirl at the termination points of the characters. The spade hour and whip minute hands are black, instead of white, to make them highly visible on the stark white Hamilton-signed dial. The center-mounted seconds hand features a long counterbalance with a spaded tip. The outer register, with Arabic numerals 1 through 60, is crisply printed and makes it easy to reference minutes or seconds with the quickest of glances.

On the reverse side of the watch face, a sapphire crystal covers a high-grade 22-jewel movement built in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The movement is based on Hamilton's high-grade railroad pocket watch movement, the 992B. The manufacturer removed the lever-set mechanism and added an extra jewel to accommodate the center seconds hand when they originally produced these watches for the US Government to distribute to its deployed troops. The gold center seconds wheel is mounted above the moment's plates and bridges, which were expertly finished with a Geneva-stripe pattern by American craftsmen in the 1940s. The conversion to a 12-hour movement after World War II required the replacement and modification of three parts, but the movement's hacking function remains, a reminder of the timepiece's former military application.

Vortic’s meticulously engineered V3 case, crafted from a single piece of metal in their Fort Collins, Colorado workshop, is the perfect home for these unique timepieces. The natural bronze, hand-treated to achieve a warm patina that matches the nearly 80-year-old dial's light weathering, is like nothing they have offered before. The contrast between the bronze components and the white dial with black numerals creates a wristwatch that is as much a work of art as it is a timepiece.

The American-made shell Cordovan strap finishes the Vortic conversion, and the oxblood leather ensures that this watch will be attached securely to your wrist and look great doing so.

When you check the time, know that the watch you are looking at is more than a part of history. It is proof that American soldiers and Allied forces worldwide put their lives on the line to fight for liberty 80 years prior, and they were victorious. Their military-issued 24-hour dial watches were given a new life by these Hamilton conversion kits after the hard-fought battles were won, and now they have been transformed again to allow them to be worn daily and be admired, celebrated, and preserved to remind present and future generations of the sacrifices made and the great hope that those who are called to fight for our liberty can have the chance to return home to our great country and enjoy it.

WATCH SPECIFICATIONS:

• Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
• Model Year: 2024 Military Special Edition, Ltd. Ed of 12
• Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
• Case Dimensions: Diameter: 49mm, Lug Width: 24mm
• Case Material: Machined Bronze
• Crown/Hardware: Bronze
• Water Resistance: 1 ATM
• Crystals: Domed Sapphire Glass (front), Sapphire Glass (back)
• Case Back: Stainless Steel
• Strap: Oxblood Horween Shell Cordovan

MOVEMENT

• Manufacturer: Hamilton Watch Company
• Serial Number: Varies
• Manufacture Year: Varies 1938 to 1950
• Function: Manual Wind
• Jewels: 22 Jewels
• Hands: Original Antiques
• Size: 16s
• Power Reserve: ~36 Hours