Showcasing a stunningly distressed dial that exudes vintage charm, the Springfield 148 features raised gold-tone numerals on a richly weathered surface. The elegant cathedral-style hands and oversized sub-seconds dial enhance its unique aesthetic. Housed in a polished stainless steel case that beautifully contrasts with the warm, whiskey-toned leather strap, this piece pays homage to early 20th-century American watchmaking with its 17-jewel Illinois movement and intricate detail.
From the brand: The Springfield 148 offers a beautifully distressed dial that captures the raw authenticity of time’s passage. The surface is richly weathered, with a near woodgrain-like patina that gives the entire face a textural, almost organic look. Raised gold-tone numerals sit atop the aged surface, their form softened by decades of oxidation. At the center of the dial, a pair of gold-colored cathedral-style hands brings visual contrast and warmth, hovering above an oversized, double-circle sub-seconds dial that adds balance and symmetry.
Inside, this watch houses a 17-jewel Illinois movement originally manufactured in 1923. The movement is decorated with fine damaskeening across its bridges, polished screwwork, and deep ruby jewel settings. Gold-plated gears peek through the cutouts, giving the open caseback a vibrant visual depth that reflects the technical beauty of early American watchmaking.
The movement is secured inside a polished stainless steel case with a clean, angled bezel and a vertically grooved gold crown. A warm, whiskey-toned American-made leather strap ties everything together, adding comfort and contrast to the case’s gleaming steel finish.
In 1923, American industry was expanding rapidly—and that same year, the U.S. Patent Office approved the first rotary-dial telephone. This technological milestone revolutionized how Americans communicated, much like the precision and innovation found in the watch movements of that same era.
