The Chicago 116 (45mm)

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What Makes The Chicago 116 Unique: The Chicago 116 combines a remarkably clean enamel dial with darker modern accents that give the watch a distinctly architectural presence. The dial itself is highly minimal, featuring bold black Arabic numerals and a finely printed outer minute track that reinforces the watchs clean, balanced layout. At 6 oclock, the recessed sub-seconds register adds depth without disrupting the symmetry, while the blued-steel hands retain the elegant proportions typical of early 20th-century American pocket watches. What immediately distinguishes this watch visually is the contrast between the bright enamel dial and the black DLC-coated bezel. The darker bezel frames the dial with unusual sharpness, creating a more contemporary profile while still preserving the original character of the antique components. Paired with the pre-patinated bronze crown, the overall composition introduces warmth and age against the otherwise monochromatic case design. Collectors tend to appreciate these kinds of material choices when they feel intentional rather than decorative, and here the balance works exceptionally well. The dial itself remains impressively crisp for a piece from this era, with clean printing and excellent preservation across the enamel surface. The restrained typography and uncluttered layout place greater emphasis on proportion and spacing, giving the watch a refined, almost instrument-like quality. Inside, the watch is powered by a 17-jewel Elgin movement manufactured in 1918, during one of the strongest periods of American industrial watchmaking. The movement features striking geometric damaskeening across the bridges, creating an Art Deco-inspired visual rhythm that collectors will immediately recognize. Gold-plated gears and polished steel components add contrast beneath the exhibition caseback, while the engraved Elgin signature remains sharp and legible throughout the movement. The bridge architecture on this particular movement is especially attractive, with sweeping lines that naturally guide the eye across the gear train and balance assembly. The combination of decorative finishing and visible mechanical depth gives the movement an unusually sculptural appearance, particularly when viewed alongside the darker tones of the DLC bezel. The watch is housed in Vortics machined 316L stainless steel V3 case, preserving the original crown-at-12 orientation of the pocket watch while maintaining a highly wearable wrist presence. Th