Vortic is a renowned brand based in Colorado that specializes in converting vintage pocket watches to wristwatches. Its expertise lies in restoring and transforming heirloom pocket watches into wearable timepieces. Vortic has gained a significant following in recent years due to its unique approach to preserving horological history. This is not the first time that Vortic has released military-inspired watches. However, for this particular edition, the focus is on the Hamilton 4992B Master Navigator’s Watch, which was utilized during World War II on U.S. Vortic’s Military Edition is a rare opportunity to own a piece of both aviation and watchmaking history, featuring the brand’s distinctive rugged resto-mod style.
The Vortic Military Edition is an undeniably sizable timepiece. With a width of 49mm and a thick, solid case, along with long lugs, it certainly makes a statement. The dark-coated stainless steel body of the case accentuates the sense of mass and weight on the wrist, making it a bold and confident accessory for everyday wear. The watch’s appearance is reminiscent of military equipment, with its flat-sided cylindrical main case and wedge-shaped lugs. The speckled dark coating gives it a battle-worn appearance right from the start. The titanium crown at the 12 o’clock position, which features a knurled lower segment and broad, rounded gear teeth on the upper segment, is the centerpiece of the case design.
The crown is topped with a printed signature of a B-17 bomber in silhouette, adding to the military aesthetic. The Military Edition comes with a display caseback made of Gorilla Glass that provides a detailed view of the movement that has been around for about 80 years. While the watch has a solid look and feel, it is important to note that this is a bespoke pocket watch conversion and has a water resistance rating of only 10 meters. However, as a display piece, this rating is not a significant drawback as this watch is not meant for underwater use and is better suited as an eye-catching accessory.
The dial of the Vortic Military Edition watch is an exact replica of the Hamilton 4992B pocket watch, without any changes made to it. Due to the passage of time and natural aging, there may be slight differences in the dials of each individual watch, but overall they adhere to the same government-mandated design. The black matte dial provides a simple background against which the white sword and spade hands stand out clearly, making it easy to read at a glance. However, accurately telling time with the Military Edition requires some adjustment as it uses a 24-hour dial layout with printed Arabic hour numerals on the inner ring.
The outer minutes scale on the watch face is printed with clear and spacious markings, including additional numerals at five-minute intervals. The only other marking on the dial is a large “GCT” at 12 o’clock, which stands for Greenwich Civil Time, the former name of what is now known as Greenwich Mean Time. While this description may sound plain, the watch is actually full of subtle details that become apparent upon closer examination. These include the warm undertones of the aging dial surface and the charming, softly rounded font used for the numerals. Over time, the white text on the dial has taken on a sandy tan hue, and the minutes numerals are a pale sage-green color that complements the overall design. Despite being created for practical purposes, the watch’s layout is remarkably attractive as a whole.
The standout feature of the Vortic Military Edition watch is undoubtedly its original hand-wound Hamilton 4992B pocket watch movement, which has been beautifully finished. The movement showcases remarkable details. These include evenly striped bridges and balance cock, spiral brushing that contrasts with the mainspring barrel, and wide perlage for the mainplate. The engraved text is also impressive, with an ornate serif typeface that adds a sense of historic gravitas to the piece. Although it is difficult to evaluate the performance of a restored pocket watch movement from the late 1930s to early 1950s, the 4992B offers a 38-hour power reserve and runs at a steady beat rate of 18,000 bph. During our review period, we found the movement to be accurate, averaging only +12 seconds per day.
The Military Edition of Vortic comes with a hex screw changing tool and a pair of straps. One of the straps is made of vintage olive drab military canvas with leather lining, which perfectly complements the rugged design of the watch. The other strap is crafted from thick and durable buffalo leather in a saddle brown color, highlighting the toughness of the watch.
Pocket watches are slowly gaining popularity among enthusiasts, and Vortic’s unique concept of converting them is poised for success. The brand’s latest release, the Military Edition, is a perfect blend of style, history, and durability that could catapult Vortic to success. While the watch’s larger size may not be ideal for daily wear, its connection to history and impressive presentation make it a bold and compelling statement piece for those who dare to wear it.