The Springfield 493 (47mm)

What makes the Springfield 493 unique: Today, we’re pleased to present you this luxurious piece originally manufactured by the Illinois Watch Company in Springfield, Illinois — the Springfield 493. The watch boasts a splendid, gold-colored dial with an intricate center pattern and dark numerals. The piece also sports a matching subdial with dark-gray minute and hour hands. We enclosed the original pocket watch within our PVD Zircon Gold case, and we paired it with a gold-plated crown. The crown and case make the final piece exude even more grandeur. On the back of the watch, you can view its robust gold-plated gears powered by 17 splendid jewels atop its center bridge plate. The piece also features a 405-grade open-face movement with a nickel finish and pendant setting. Finally, we matched the pocket watch with our comfortable, artisan-designed Cordovan Black leather watch strap, which looks stunningly bold with the watch’s golden colors. The Illinois Watch Company initially produced the pocket watch in Springfield, Illinois, in 1926 — the same year that the precursor to Black History Month came into being. Historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) — now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) — proposed that the United States celebrate “Negro History Week.” They chose to celebrate in the second week of February because of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12th and Frederick Douglass’ birthday on February 14th. Woodson and the ASNLH’s efforts inspired others to study and celebrate Black history, and in 1969, the Black United Students organization and educators at Kent State University created Black History Month. Seven years later, the United States officially began observing Black History Month.