Chelsea Clock Ship's Bell Clock 8 1/2 inch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Modern
This is a hand-assembled Ship's Bell clock manufactured by Chelsea Clock, featuring an 8 1/2-inch dial diameter. The timepiece is designed with the characteristic ship's bell striking mechanism, which indicates time through a specific sequence of strikes to mark four-hour maritime watches.
The clock is housed in a solid forged brass case with a polished nickel finish and protective lacquer, featuring a hinged bezel. The dial is hand-silvered with printed Arabic numerals and dark-finished hands. It is mounted on a traditional solid mahogany base. The internal movement is identified as caliber 4L, an 11-jewel mechanical system composed of more than 360 individual parts, which drives both the timekeeping and the bell-striking functions.
The clock dial includes three apertures for winding the respective springs. This item is presented as a new, factory-produced object.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Ship's bell clock
- Maker
- Chelsea Clock
- Model
- Ship's Bell Clock 8 1/2"
- Movement
- Caliber 4L, 11-jewel mechanical
- Part count
- Over 360 parts
- Dial finish
- Hand-silvered
- Base material
- Solid mahogany
- Place recorded
- United States
- Case construction
- Forged brass with nickel finish
- Striking mechanism
- Ship's bell watch system
- Maker / attribution
- Chelsea Clock
Design
- Visible features
- • Hinged bezel visible on the side of the clock case • Three winding apertures located on the dial • Solid mahogany base with a traditional curved profile • Printed Arabic numerals on a silvered dial surface
- Case and Dial Design
- The clock is constructed from solid forged brass, finished with a polished nickel plating and a protective lacquered coating. It incorporates a hinged bezel, which allows for access to the dial. The overall design aesthetic follows the company's early models that date back to 1900. The dial is hand-silvered, providing a matte metallic background for the black Arabic numerals. Dark hands provide visual contrast against the silver surface. The dial features three winding apertures designed for the clock's mechanical spring systems, and the signature 'CHELSEA SHIP'S BELL' is visible. The entire assembly is mounted on a solid mahogany base.
- Movement and Functionality
- The timepiece utilizes a mechanical movement designated as the 4L caliber. This movement is built with 11 jewels and consists of more than 360 precision-engineered parts. The movement is responsible for both the primary timekeeping function and the activation of the ship's bell striking mechanism. The clock mimics the traditional maritime watch system, where bells strike to signal the end of four-hour watches at 4, 8, and 12 o'clock, as well as the intermediate half-hour marks. Winding is performed through three distinct apertures on the clock face, which tension the springs for time and the striking sequence.
- Manufacturing and Condition
- The object is documented as a new, factory-produced clock. As a contemporary manufacture, it retains the design lineage of the company's historic maritime instruments. The source notes that the clock is assembled by hand. Prospective owners are encouraged to inspect the mechanical operation of the bell system, the winding function, and the physical alignment of the clock to its mahogany base upon receipt.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The exact year of manufacture is not provided in the source
- Research required: The operational status of the mechanical movement has not been verified by an independent third party