An 8.5-inch Chelsea Automatic Ship's Bell. "Geo B. Carpenter & CO. / Chicago." 224140.
This Chelsea Automatic Ship's Bell Clock Outfit is a rare combination. It includes an 8.5-inch ship's bell (time-and-strike) clock fitted with an additional automatic auxiliary 8.5-inch brass bell. The extra bell is designed to be mounted at a distance from the clock in another location.
The 1912 Chelsea sales catalog stated, "Nothing more attractive for use on Yachts and in clubs, etc. It is especially desirable for use at Seashore and Country Estates. Bell can be located almost any distance from the clock." This outfit included an 8.5-inch-diameter brass bell, a mechanism that sent an electrical signal to the bell to sound, and dry-cell batteries. It carried an additional $100 charge on top of the clock's cost. Here, the 8.5-inch dial clock costs $72 for a total of $172.
This exceptional example is in very good condition. The rose-tinted brass case has been polished and protected with a lacquer finish. It shows a warm, mellow patina. The clockmaker’s serial number "99218" is die-stamped in two locations: on the back of the case and on the backplate of the movement. The matching numbers confirm the case and movement are original to each other. According to the serial number, this clock was made between 1915 and 1918.
The cast and polished brass clock case measures about 10.25 inches in diameter across the back and is 3.75 inches deep. The bezel is hinged and fitted with glass. It opens from the left to allow access to the original dial. The dial is brass with a silver finish and measures about 8.5 inches in diameter. The time ring is painted with a segmented minute ring and Arabic hour numerals. The retailer's name, working location, and model name, "CHELSEA / AUTOMATIC / SHIP'S BELL," appear in the center field.
The movement is of excellent quality. The plates are circular, and the back plate is die-stamped with company information. It is spring-powered and designed to run for eight days. It features a balance wheel escapement, allowing the clock to be used in unstable environments. As a result, it continues to run while being moved. This clock has a two-train design with a full-strike train. The striking sequence follows nautical time, favored at sea. The strike train strikes on the hour and half-hour in a progressive sequence starting at 12:30, 4:30, and 8:30. At 12:30, the clock strikes once. At 1:00, it strikes twice, adding an additional blow at each half-hour interval until 4:30. At 4:00, the clock strikes eight times, completing a full cycle. At 4:30, the sequence repeats. There are three four-hour watches in a twelve-hour period.
Collectors eagerly seek out large dial examples.
For more information regarding Chelsea Clocks and the Company, please visit Jim Dyson's website at: http://www.chelseaclockmuseum.com
Inventory number 224140.
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.
