What makes the Chicago 497 unique: Today, we’re excited to showcase this exquisite piece initially produced by the Elgin National Watch Company nearly a century ago — the Chicago 497. This breathtaking watch boasts a sophisticated dial with a pristine, white background and a light blue center. The front of the watch also features a beautiful circular light-gold-colored pattern underneath its thin, black Roman numerals, and it also displays stunning blued-steel spade watch hands. We encased this eye-catching dial within our robust Blued Titanium case and topped it off with a nickel-plated crown, complementing the dial’s distinct and attractive palette. On the back of the watch, you can view the piece’s original 345-grade open-face movement with a Breguet hairspring, Moseley regulator, quick train, and going barrel. The movement also features gold-plated gears and 17 sumptuous screw-set ruby and sapphire jewels throughout its ¾ plate. Finally, we made this watch even more handsome with our comfortable, hand-crafted Cordovan Black leather watch strap.
The Elgin National Watch Company originally manufactured the Chicago 497’s pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1924 — the same year a group of criminals committed the Rondout Train Robbery in Lake County, Illinois, which was the largest train robbery in the history of the United States. The group boarded the train in Chicago and stole over two-million dollars — around $35 million in 2022 — worth in cash, securities, and jewelry from postal clerks. Within days, law enforcement arrested all eight of the criminals, one of which was a postal inspector.
