Vortic Watch Company says the wristwatch it released for Veterans Day 2024 is one of its most exciting Military Edition models ever and gives watch collectors a unique opportunity to own a piece of military history.
Vortic releases a Military Edition each year on Nov. 11, Veterans Day, in a limited quantity. This year, there are 50 available. The 49 mm wristwatch contains a dial, hands, and movement from the Master Navigation pocket watch that Hamilton Watch built for the U.S. Army Air Corps (predecessor of the Air Force) between 1942 and 1945. The original watches were used by navigators on bomber aircraft like the B-17 during World War II.
Master Navigation’s movement made it one of the most accurate pocket watches manufactured in the United States, says Vortic co-founder R.T. Custer. The first 20 wristwatches in today’s Vortic release have lume added by Kent Parks to the numerals on the 24-hour dial, as well as to the five-minute markers and the watch hands.
The movement is stamped with U.S. GOVT. on these 20 watches, which cost $9,500 each. The other 30 watches of Vortic’s sixth Military Edition retail for $8,500 apiece. All the watches are sold first-come, first-served, says Custer.
“I’m biased, but this is simply the coolest watch on earth,” he says. “Between the actual WWII history inside, the fact that it’s truly American-made, and the overall style, it just can’t be beat. It’s an honor to make this product, and I can’t wait for these 50 customers to get it.”
Custer notes that the annual Military Edition also highlights the work of Greg Stevens, who handcrafts a set of two straps for each of the 50 watches. 2024’s watches comes with a Swiss military canvas strap with olive green backing and a soft black leather strap with vintage-style stitching.
This fall has been an exciting time at Fort Collins, Colo.–based Vortic, Custer adds. In December, Christie’s auction house will auction two Vortic watches worn by actors John Krasinski and Michael Kelly on Amazon Prime’s series Jack Ryan.
Vortic sent Custer’s personal Military Edition watch to Jack Ryan’s prop master, and Kelly wore it in several episodes of the third season. Custer says Krasinski noticed the watch on Kelly and requested one to wear in the show’s fourth (and final) season. Vortic sent two watches for Krasinski to wear: one when filming in the U.S. and the other to travel internationally, Custer says.
All three watches were returned to Vortic after filming. Christie’s will auction the Kelly watch and one of the Krasinski watches during the bi-annual Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation’s charity auction on Dec. 9 in New York City. Vortic will offer the other Krasinski watch in a customer sweepstakes on its website, Custer says.
“Working with Jack Ryan has been an incredible opportunity to showcase our Military Edition watches,” Custer says. “As a huge fan of Michael Kelly from his role in House of Cards, it was such a cool experience to be a part of this project. And with a team full of The Office fans, creating a watch for John Krasinski was definitely a collective effort.”
Top: Vortic’s sixth annual military watch went on sale at noon Colorado time on Nov. 11 in a limited edition of 50. (Photos courtesy of Vortic)
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