Name: The Chicago 500 (47mm)
SKU: 1247016

The Chicago 500 (47mm)

$ 45.14

$ 58.68

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What makes the Chicago 500 unique: Today, we’re thrilled to present a stunning piece originally manufactured by the Elgin National Watch Company in 1919 — the Chicago 500. The watch’s handsome dial features an aged center design along with matching dark-brown numerals. The front of the watch also displays blued-steel spade & whip watch hands that glimmer vividly against its cream-colored background. We encased Elgin’s antique pocket watch within our stylish Blued Titanium case, and we topped it off with a nickel-plated crown. On the back of the watch, you can view its historic 384-grade open-face movement with a going barrel, quick train, and Breguet hairspring. It also boasts 17 screw-set ruby and sapphire jewels throughout its ¾ plate that help turn its robust, gold-plated gears. Finally, we equipped this remarkable watch with our comfortable, artisan-designed Olive leather watch strap, making this one-of-a-kind piece even more eye-catching.

The Elgin National Watch Company initially produced the Chicago 500’s pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1919 — the same year that The New York Globe published the first Ripley’s Believe It or Not! newspaper panel. Robert Ripley’s Believe It or Not! series quickly became a huge success and led to various adaptations, including radio and television programs, attractions, comic books, and many museums across the globe. Although Robert Ripley passed away before seeing his franchise become what it is today, he did see tremendous success with his newspaper panel — which was read by over 80 million people daily during its peak — and he hosted the first thirteen episodes of the Believe It or Not! television series. Tragically, he passed away from a heart attack in 1949 shortly after the 13th episode of the series premiered.