10-inch Commodore or Base & ball Chelsea clock in “Black Oxide" finish. Special dial. House strike. It was retailed by “HARDY & HAYES CO. / PITTSBURGH.” 226056.
Chelsea called this case form the “Base and Ball.” This case is brass and is quite heavy. It features Chelsea's “black oxide” finish, which the 1911 catalog describes as “a gun metal finish.” It has experienced three small areas of oxidation along the inside corner of the back flange. The serial number "66889" can be found die-stamped in two locations. It is located at the bottom of the case and also on the backplate of the movement. The numbers match and indicate that this clock was shipped from the factory on February 18, 1911. The original buyer was the Westinghouse-Churchill-Kerr Company, and the order must have been placed through the retailer HARDY & HAYES CO. of PITTSBURGH.
10-inch dial. Across the bottom, the pedestal measures 16.5 inches wide and 6 inches deep. The bezel is approximately 14.25 inches in diameter. This bezel is hinged on the right and is fitted with glass. It opens from the left, allowing one to access the dial.
The dial is the Special option. It is brass, with a silvered finish. It measures approximately 10 inches in diameter. The raised Arabic hour numerals are applied. The closed minute ring is painted. It is signed with the retailer's name, “HARDY & HAYES CO. / PITTSBURGH.” Just below it is the rating adjustment.
Hardy & Hayes was a fine jeweler. The three-story building was located on Wood Street in Pittsburgh. At one time, it was the largest jewelry store in the city.
The movement is of very good quality. It is spring-wound and is designed to run for 8 days on a full wind. This clock is unusual in that it strikes House Strike. This was the term Chelsea used for a traditional striking format: striking on the hour and once on each half hour. Most Chelsea clocks strike the ship's bell sequence. The striking hammer hits a coil gong mounted inside the case. The movement escapement is a balance wheel. This allows this clock to be put in environments that are not stable. As a result, it will continue to run while being moved. The plates of this movement are circularly shaped. The back plate is die-stamped with the company information.
This is a very collectible example. Collectors eagerly seek out these large clocks. The pedestal measures 16.5 inches wide, 5.75 inches deep, and 15.25 inches high. The bezel is approximately 15 inches in diameter. This bezel is hinged on the right and is fitted with glass. It opens from the left, allowing one to access the 10-inch dial.
Inventory number 226056.
For more information regarding Chelsea Clocks and the Company, please visit Jim Dyson's website at: http://www.chelseaclockmuseum.com.
The Chelsea Clock Company Board of Directors met for the first time on July 28, 1897. The Board consisted of Whipple N. Potter, Jr., President, Charles H. Pearson, Treasurer, Reginald Foster, Clerk and Secretary. Allen L. Shepherd served on the Board with the elected officers. This first group of individuals was not together long. The Chelsea firm persevered and has enjoyed a long run of success as a result of making clocks of superior manufacture. This company made many clocks. Some of which were in the style of the Willard timepiece or banjo clock, the E. Howard Model No., 70 and more famously, marine clocks. This company remains in business today.
