Waltham Clock Company Marine clock. An early 8.5-inch-dial example that has served on the Tamalpais Ferry. 226064.

The Tamalpais Ferry was originally owned by the Sausalito Land & Ferry Company and was sold to the North Pacific Coast Railroad in May of 1882. The ferry was originally named the Petaluma and was renamed the Tamalpais after refitting in 1883. She served the community until 1894, when a second Tamalpais was built to replace her in 1901 by the Union Iron Works for the North Shore Railroad Co. This side wheeler passenger steamer was the first Marin County ferry to burn oil. Its route connected the cities of Sausalito, San Quentin, and San Francisco. She was dismantled for scrap in 1947. It is somewhat unusual to know the history of a clock. This example is a conversation starter.

This marine clock with a brass movement is die-stamped with the Maker's name and the serial number 277 on the movement's backplate. This suggests a manufacture date of about 1900. This example is in good vintage condition. Waltham clocks are of excellent quality.

The rose brass case of this clock has been polished, now retaining an older, mellow patina. The case is quite heavy due to its quality. It measures approximately 10.5 inches in diameter across the back and is 3.25 inches deep. The hinged bezel features a bush button lock and protective glass. Please note the deep bezel shaping.

The 8.5-inch-diameter dial features a nickel finish that contrasts with the black graphics. The engraved time ring features Roman-style hour numerals inside the segmented minute ring. Spade-shaped hands display the time. Above the center arbor is a subsidiary seconds display. Also engraved into the dial are the names, “UNION IRON WKS. / SAN FRANCISCO” and “STARR BRASS MFG CO. / BOSTON, MASS.” 

The Union Iron Works was located in San Francisco, California. It was, for a time, the premier producer of mining, railroad, agricultural, and locomotive machinery in California. When it entered the shipbuilding business and relocated to Potrero Point, where its shipyards still exist, making the site on the north side of the Potrero the longest-running privately owned shipyard in the United States. This clock was provided to them by the Starr Brass MFG Co of Boston. In the late-19th and early-20th centuries, they were a leading maker of heavy-duty industrial and marine instruments. They specialized in precision pressure gauges, steam engine indicators, factory whistles, safety valves, and high-end marine clocks. The movements of the marine clocks were sourced from companies including E. Howard, Chelsea, and Seth Thomas, in this case, Waltham.

The Waltham Clock Co. made high-quality movements designed to run for eight days once fully wound. The escapement features a balance wheel, so this clock will continue to run while being moved. As a result, these types of clocks were very popular in marine environments. The time is adjusted by manipulating the micrometer just below the 2:45 position.

This clock is sold fully serviced and in excellent working order. The movement has been completely disassembled and cleaned. Areas of wear are addressed during the movement rebuild. The movement is then lubricated and tested to ensure its performance.

Inventory number 226064.