In an age of smartwatches, an analog watch might seem a little old-fashioned. Whether it’s powered by springs or a battery, though, the machinery that spins those little hands is pretty fascinating.

So it may seem like a brave choice for two Chicago entrepreneurs to launch a company making old-fashioned mechanical watches—when many of their peers wear the new-fangled electronic alternatives.

In a time when smartphones reign supreme, it's fascinating to find that there are still people willing to pay a pretty penny for a good old-fashioned watch. Whether they simply value the old way ...