Anyone have a guess ? Ship's clock ?
I'm taking a guess that this is a clock off of a ship just because of the design. The manufacturor is the Chelsea Clock Co. Boston USA, and it has "October 1917" as well as a serial number or model number on the back. The knob on the front winds it, and when pulled, sets the time. It works perfectly.
Anyone actually know where this may have been from ?
Anyone actually know where this may have been from ?
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That's a neat find... 0 -
"Chelsea" Clock Company
Serial Number Record Book Data
Serial Number vs. Sale Date
Serial Number Date
000001-003937 1897-1899
003938-016459 1900-1904
016460-059641 1905-1909
059642-097528 1910-1914
097529-136237 1915-1919
136238-159719 1920-1924
159720-194237 1925-1929
194238-213894 1930-1934
213895-256235 1935-1939
256236-472765 1940-1944
472766-559240 1945-1949
559241-598659 1950-1954
598660-638906 1955-1960
638907-673459 1960-1964
673460-743137 1965-1969
743138-780288 1970-1974
786289-827760 1975-1979
827761-857063 1980-1984
857064-868171 1985-1989
868172- 1990-
Notes on Serial Number Data
1. Most clocks are numbered on the case and the movement. These numbers in most all cases match, but occasionally movements were switched by the factory or the retailing jeweler.
2. The serial number record data shows the sale date of a given serial number. Prior to 1910 inventory control was not optimized and finished clocks remained in company inventory for years. The dates above show the average sale date for a given serial number. Specific clock sale dates may vary significantly.
3. Serial numbers were issued consecutively as movements were manufactured in groups of like type movements. These were then fitted to cases to meet special orders or for general stock.
4. The record books appear to have been transcribed from working lists by clerks. Occasionally omissions and errors are noted.
5. Prior to 1915 the record data lists serial number, date sold, customer, movement type, and case size, finish, and type. After 1915 case size, finish, and type were generally omitted.0 -
Good info there LBD. That at least has the serial # matching the time frame. I did a little looking around on Google, and some of these things bring some pretty healthy $$ figures.
I haven't found what this one may have been used for yet though.
Thanks !0 -
Ok, way back when street cars where in Baltimore someone in my family was a conductor. My dad has his pocket watch and a clock that looks like that,,,,, trolley clock ? 0 -
I'm just guessing, but it would appear that the obtrusion at the bottom is a bell that probably chimes at the hour or quarter hour making it most likely a ships clock.
I can't tell by the photo but is the item above the 12 where a key would fit to wind it?
Then a second thought would be, is the object on the bottom to wind the clock since it appears to be knurled?0 -
Neat old time piece, whatever it was mounted on. 0 -
I recently watched a PBS 4-hour documentary called "latitude" which covers the guy who invented the ships clock. It was good.
Your clock sure looks similar in design to the one in the show. Either way, it's a NICE looking piece.
Let us know what you find out.0 -
quote:Originally posted by LaidbackDan
I'm just guessing, but it would appear that the obtrusion at the bottom is a bell that probably chimes at the hour or quarter hour making it most likely a ships clock.
I can't tell by the photo but is the item above the 12 where a key would fit to wind it?
Then a second thought would be, is the object on the bottom to wind the clock since it appears to be knurled?
The item on the top is the "slow-fast" adjustment. The knob on the bottom winds it, and sets the time. This might sound bad, but I haven't checked to see if it chimes on the hour yet ! Will have to do that when I get home [:I]0 -
quote:Originally posted by spurgemastur
I recently watched a PBS 4-hour documentary called "latitude" which covers the guy who invented the ships clock. It was good.
Your clock sure looks similar in design to the one in the show. Either way, it's a NICE looking piece.
Let us know what you find out.
was that the show with jeremy irons?0 -
quote:Originally posted by Kimbercolt
quote:Originally posted by spurgemastur
I recently watched a PBS 4-hour documentary called "latitude" which covers the guy who invented the ships clock. It was good.
Your clock sure looks similar in design to the one in the show. Either way, it's a NICE looking piece.
Let us know what you find out.
was that the show with jeremy irons?
Yes. I've liked a lot of his work, but in this show I thought his character could have been cut entirely.0 -
Very nice one, I am always keeping my out for ship Bell strike clocks at the flea market. You got a nice one indeed.[:)] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by LaidbackDan
I'm just guessing, but it would appear that the obtrusion at the bottom is a bell that probably chimes at the hour or quarter hour making it most likely a ships clock.
I can't tell by the photo but is the item above the 12 where a key would fit to wind it?
Then a second thought would be, is the object on the bottom to wind the clock since it appears to be knurled?
Checked it out this morning when I got home, and there is no bell inside. The protrusion on the back is opposite of where the winding knob is. Endlss may have provided another clue about the trolley cars. My Grandfather was a conductor on the railroads both before and after WWI, so it may have been on a train, then again, he might have swiped it from the ship coming back from France [:D]0 -
This may be a chronometer. Ships usually had three of them set in a glass case. Each day the chronometers were wound at exactly the same time and each given the same number of turns on the winding stem. These chronometers would be used in dead reckoning navigation. 0
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