In this episode of The Unconventional Path, hosts Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman dive into the fascinating world of American manufacturing and historical preservation with RT Custer, the visionary founder of Vortic Watch Company . If you’ve ever wondered why the world’s most famous watches come from Switzerland or Japan, this conversation explores how one entrepreneur decided to bring the craft back to the United States by repurposing the "iPhones of the 1800s"—the antique American pocket watch.A Beautiful Clash of Old and NewRT Custer describes Vortic as a "beautiful clash of old and new" . Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, the company takes antique American pocket watch movements (the "guts") and restores them into one-of-a-kind, 100% American-made wristwatches. By combining 19th-century mechanical engineering with modern 3D-printed titanium cases and updated glass, Vortic creates a bridge between America's industrial past and its manufacturing future.The Golden Era of American WatchmakingDuring the period between 1850 and 1950, ten major American companies manufactured over 150 million pocket watches . These mechanical engines were essential tools for the era, particularly for the railroad industry. RT Custer, a history enthusiast and relative of General George Armstrong Custer, was inspired by this overlooked chapter of American business history. He set out to preserve these mechanical movements, which are often discarded after their precious metal cases are melted down How It Works: The Restoration ProcessVortic sources its antique movements from estate auctions, pawn shops, and former jewelry stores. The restoration involves:Extracting the Guts: Salvaging the dial, hands, and gears (the movement) from antique pocket watches .Reconditioning: Tuning up the mechanical springs and gears to ensure they keep perfect time .The Modern Case: Engineering a custom wristwatch case to protect and display the historic movement .Growing a Heritage BrandRT shares insights into building a successful business without traditional advertising . By focusing on branding and answering customer questions directly, Vortic has built a community of "super fans" who serve as word-of-mouth marketers.The company operates through three primary revenue streams :Watch of the Day: A unique, one-of-a-kind release every weekday .Military Edition: Limited-edition watches featuring movements that served in World War II, released every Veterans Day.Custom Conversions: Restoring customer heirlooms into functional wristwatches .The Entrepreneurial LeapBefore Vortic, RT worked in logistics for Walmart, managing a $25 million budget at age 22 . He reflects on the "expensive masters of business" he earned by launching Vortic on Kickstarter in 2014 and the importance of taking the leap into entrepreneurship, even when the "math" seems daunting.Visit Vortic Watch Company: vorticwatches.comOur podcast is now available on Youtube. Simply search for "The Unconventional Path" to subscribe and never miss an episode.We're always on the lookout for interesting guests to feature on our show. If you know someone who has an inspiring story, unique perspective, or valuable expertise to share, please let us know. We're eager to connect with potential guests who can bring fresh insights and engaging conversations to our audience.We also love hearing from our listeners! Your questions, comments, and suggestions are incredibly valuable to us. Send us an email at bela.and.mike@gmail.com with your thoughts, and we'll do our best to address them in a future episode. Whether you have a question about a specific topic, feedback on a recent episode, or ideas for future content, we want to hear from you. Your engagement helps us shape the show and deliver content that resonates with our listeners.Thanks for listening,Bela and Mike