Let’s face it: We all think about picking up that one item at a garage sale or flea market for just a few dollars, only to discover that it’s worth much, much more. See what this Minneapolis bargain shopper happily discovered when he shared his Chelsea Clock find with Sean Delaney on an episode of PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow.”

Watch Appraisal: Chelsea Clock Company Tambour No. 3 Clock, ca. 1915 on PBS. See more from Antiques Roadshow.

On some antique or vintage clocks, the solid brass faces were originally engraved and then hand silvered. While cosmetic in nature, the condition of a clock dial can greatly affect its readability so it is important to have your mechanical clock’s dial re-silvered if it loses its original luster.

Our earliest dials were silvered and then hand painted.  The company then experimented with different materials such as copper plated lead and cast copper before settling with the solid brass dial we use today.  Depending on the original application used to make your dial, will determine if it is a candidate for restoration.

The process of  “re-silvering a clock dial” basically involves restoring its original finish and luster.

Antique Clock Dial - Before Re-Silvering

Antique Clock Dial - After Re-Silvering

DIAL RESTORATION PROCESS

Before the restoration process begins, the dial is photographed to ensure all key information is retained.  Then we remove the escutcheons and raised numerals (if applicable).  Next, we refill the etched minute track, numbers and any logos with a black enamel.  The dial is then placed on a turn table, spun and wet sanded to repair any fine scratches or imperfections and prepare it for silvering.

SILVERING

Our restoration technicians employ a proprietary process for silvering using a compound solution that has been in place for generations at Chelsea Clock. Our unique, time honored methods give each clock a fine, even silver color and signature circular texture to the final face appearance.

POLISHING
After the clock’s dial has been restored and re-silvered, we apply a lacquer coating to protect and preserve the finish.  If the dial was hand painted, we re-silver it first and then hand paint the minute track, numbers and company logo prior to lacquering.  Some dials also have a retailer’s name either etched into the dial or ink stamped on.  We are able to replicate the ink stamps using steel plates to transfer the retailer’s name onto the dial.  Once all of these steps have been completed, new escutcheons are fitted to protect the winding holes from key slip ups.

Do you have a clock in need of restoration? We welcome you to send it to us…  Just click here to fill out our repair request form.  A free estimate will be sent to you 7-10 days from the date in which your item is received at our factory. Questions? Click here to submit an inquiry or call 800-284-1778.

The history of timekeeping, called the science of horology, is a lens through which we can view the advance of scientific inquiry and some of the influential people and ideas associated with these developments. In future postings I would like to continue to explore the historical advances of timekeeping technology.

The story of timekeeping reflects the efforts of humankind to understand the natural world. Early humans were aware of the cycles of light and darkness, day and night, and the changing seasons. They observed the stars and planets as they moved through the night sky; they mapped the heavens, and learned to anticipate the nightly and seasonal changes in position of the constellations. In more recent history there is evidence of efforts to measure the passage of time on a daily basis.

The first truly natural, standard and predictable timekeeper is the sun itself. At some point, some wise person drove a stick into the ground, and the sundial was born. This stick, which became known as the gnomon, was observed to cast a shadow of varying length as the sun moved across the sky. Daily marking of time was first seen in the earliest sundials in the form of ancient Egyptian obelisks dating back to 3500 BCE. An original Egyptian obelisk of this period can be seen in Central Park in New York City today.

There are many ways that people measured time. In 1200 BCE, 2300 years after the Egyptian obelisk sundials were in use, the Phoenicians burned knotted ropes to budget the time allotted to a given task. The rope was lit, smoldered, and as the rope was consumed between knots – the time was estimated. They also used oil burners with markings on the side to indicate the amount of time a given amount of oil would burn. The Greeks invented the Clepsydra – “the water thief”. Water dripped through an orifice collected in a cistern with a float that would rise up to scale marks on the side of the cistern.

We will explore more developments in horology as this series continues.

Chelsea Clock proudly introduces the American Eagle Series, featuring our signature 4.5” dial mechanical Ship’s Bell Clock.

This special, limited edition collection – which proudly celebrates the enduring American spirit – is masterfully hand carved by West Newbury, Massachusetts, sculptor Vincent Harrild in the style of famed nautical wood carver John Haley Bellamy. Harrild pays homage to Bellamy by creating original works of art that echo the highly stylized, precisely carved eagles for which the former Maine native is world renowned.

Each carving in the American Eagle Series is painstakingly crafted by Harrild from eastern white pine, a large soft-wood pine native to the New England region. The artist employs many of the same master carving techniques as Bellamy to carefully reveal the rich character and subtle narrative of each design. Harrild also uses time-honored methods of hand-applied pigment patination and meticulous 23-karat-gold leafing to colorize each eagle carving, ensuring his creations remain true to Bellamy’s trademark palettes.

Each piece in the American Eagle Series is a limited edition and is sequentially hand-numbered and signed by the artist. A Chelsea Clock certificate of authenticity accompanies each magnificent carving.  Chelsea Clock’s Limited Edition American Eagle Series is currently available through Shreve Crump Low in Boston, MA, Betteridge Jewelers in Greenwich, CT and Chelsea Clock directly.

For more information on the American Eagle Series please contact us at 866-899-2805.

Below are some of our most frequently asked questions about caring for your Chelsea Clock.  Do you have a question about your clock?  Visit our FAQ page or simply type your question in the comment section below and we will provide you an answer as quickly as possible. 

Is it possible to over-wind my clock?

No, it is not possible to over-wind a Ship’s Bell or Shipstrike Clock. An under-wound clock will sometimes have an inconsistent chime or may not keep accurate time. When it comes time to wind the clock, be sure to wind both keyholes (clock mainspring and strike mechanism) completely each time (turn the key until you can not turn it any further).

My clock chimes inconsistently. How can I fix this?

More than likely this is caused by not fully winding the clock. To resolve the issue, wind both the clock mainspring (right keyhole) and the strike mechanism (left keyhole) fully. Next, turn the minute hand clockwise to the correct time, stopping at each hour and half-hour point to allow the bells to strike their full count. The hour hand should never be moved manually; all adjustments should be made by moving the minute hand.

How should I care for my clock if I am going on vacation or unable to wind it for extended periods?

If you are not going to be with the clock for over one week, be sure to fully wind both keyholes on the clock. Then insert the black tube into the winding arbor in the front of the clock (provided with the clock’s original packaging). This will ensure that the clock does not wind down completely.  If you have misplaced your black tube you can contact us and we can mail you a replacement or you can cut a plastic straw to fit and insert into the winding arbor.

Guaranteed, Branded Repair for Every Brand of Clock
Save 15% on all Repair Services for a limited time.

Chelsea Clock, one of America’s oldest and most respected makers of fine clocks, barometers and tide instruments, provides high quality clock repair and restoration services at its headquarters in Chelsea, Massachusetts. All professional services are performed on-site by skilled, certified Chelsea Clock technicians. To ensure expert service, optimum performance and lasting quality, Chelsea Clock recommends that all Chelsea Clock products be returned to our facility for fully-warranted, expert repair and restoration.

As the largest clock repair facility in the United States, Chelsea Clock is proud to service a wide variety of well-known brands. Clocks are thoroughly examined by our onsite technicians before a free estimate is provided.

Unfortunately, we only repair electric clocks made by Chelsea Clock, and not those made by other manufacturers.  For the repair of electric clocks by brands other than Chelsea Clock, you may wish to visit www.awci.com or www.nawcc.com for a listing of repair personnel or shops.

To help avoid unnecessary returns of non-Chelsea mechanical and quartz clocks, we always ask our customers to first email photos of their timepieces to us at repairs@chelseaclock.com. Having images of the front, back and inner workings of the clock beforehand allows our technicians to see what type of movement the piece has and if it can be repaired here at Chelsea Clock.

Among the basic repair services Chelsea Clock provides include the:

• Disassembling and cleaning of the clock’s working movements/components
• Replacement and refurbishing of worn or broken components and jewels
• Fitting and installation of new mainsprings
• Oiling, regulating and accuracy testing of movements (testing period takes approximately 2 weeks)

Visit www.ChelseaClock.com/repair-and-restoration for more information about expert Chelsea Clock repair and restoration services and to download a repair quote request form.

Mention Code SUMMER-PROMO, and save 15% off any Repair and Restoration Service now through August 31, 2011.

In 1913 the Chelsea Clock Company donated a rare clock to the Brooklyn Naval Branch Y.M.C.A. located at 167 Sands Street. A 12” Pearson Ship’s Bell Clock was presented to the Brooklyn Navy chapter by Mrs. Charles H. Pearson, the wife of Charles Pearson, the first to operate the clock company under its current name, Chelsea Clock.

This 12” Ship’s Bell Clock, currently for sale as part of Chelsea Clock’s Vintage Collection, is among the rarest antique Chelsea Clock known to exist – The clock’s appeal is due to traits seldom seen in clocks today.  Along with its unique dial size of 14.5”, the case and bezel were cast in red brass, creating a unique subtle tone to the piece.  The face is characterized by one of the original Chelsea Clock logos that began with a fluid capital “C.”

The clock was housed inside the building with the external bell probably placed outside. Motivated by the automatic movement of the clock and electricity, the bell attached by wires to the top of the clock would strike in synchronization with the clock’s striking. Its distinct chime was probably heard throughout the neighborhood.

Chelsea Clock restored the clock to its original form, with the internal elements composed of the original pieces made almost 100 years ago. And the external bell was cast during the same time period. The cracks on the hand painted face validate the clock’s history.

Specifically why Mrs. Charles H. Pearson dedicated the clock to the facility and its members is not well known, although it could be due to the Boston connection to the Y.M.C.A. and the company’s storied relationships with the navy. What is known is that the clock is part of a donating legacy of two prominent New York women that held lavish lawn fêtes to raise funds for the Y.M.C.A. attended by thousands of who’s who in New York society including world class marines and lead historic commissions that are part of the building’s history.

The Brooklyn Naval Branch, Y.M.C.A. (1905). Photo courtesy of NYPL.ORG

When Mrs. Russell Sage acquired her miser husband’s fortunes after his death in 1906 she became one of the richest women in the country. Although Russell Sage did not afford his wife the luxury of purchasing fine goods reflective of the couple’s wealth, earned during New York’s Gilded Age, ironically with his death her life endeavor became that which he scoffed at: expending his accumulated finances of $70 million dollars.

She was one of the country’s most notable philanthropists and created the Russell Sage Foundation which still exists today. With her friend and confident Miss Helen Miller Gould, her husband’s railroad business partner’s wife, she was about town at commemorations and dedication events centered on their high-priced donations.

In particular there was one event which Gould attended as a proxy of Sage “the dedication exercises” at the Brooklyn Navel Branch Y.M.C.A. in 1909. The building purchased by Gould in 1902 for young “jack tars,” as seamen were lovingly nicknamed before World War I, was extended with the addition of a gymnasium courtesy of a gracious $350,000 donation from Sage. Today it is a residence that still holds its original ornamental navy façade. The first American chapter of the Y.M.C.A. was built in Boston in 1851. It was founded by a group of Evangelists from local churches led by Sea Captain and Preacher Thomas Valentine Sullivan. The organization opened their facilities in Brooklyn a couple of years later. Today the Y.M.C.A. is a place for families, but at that time it was a safe haven for sailors, far from family and possibly friendless, offering recreation, housing and swim facilities.

We have a bustling factory here at Chelsea. Making clock parts, assembling clock mechanisms, building new clocks, and repairing and restoring antique clocks. We receive clocks in our workroom to repair every day – and every clock has its own story.

Every once in a while, we receive a clock with an exceptional owner and story to go along with it that stops us in our tracks. Whenever that happens, sure enough you’ll find a bunch of us huddled around a technician’s workbench, hearing the retelling of that story through the clock repairs in progress. In a series of blog entries, we want to share some of these stories with you as they come up.

Sara Whitaker Hale sent us a vintage 4 1/2″ Commander, (a Ship’s Bell clock from the early 1900s)  for repair last February.

This clock belonged to her remarkable father Morris M Whitaker, and we have just got to share some of the story she told us with you…

Morris Whitaker was a Naval Architect and innovative boat builder in New York City in the early 1900s. He first went to Yale, then Cornell to study Naval Architecture, and finally to the London College of Diesel Engineering. He was the first person to put a diesel engine in a “motor launch.” He built the first boat to transport trains across the Ohio River, and his firm built many cruisers for use in the Great Lakes region. He was retained to help the Russian Government rebuild their fleet after their defeat by the Japanese navy in 1919. (He decided not to go when he heard the Bolshevik revolution had broken out.) He was Franklin Roosevelt’s wooden ships advisor when Roosevelt was Secretary of the Navy. In addition to designing boats, he also designed motorboat-building plants.

Throughout his career, he was very active in motorboat racing on the Hudson – in particular those out of the New York Motor Boat Club at West 149th Street. He officiated historic races of some of the first recorded pioneering women sailors, organized the storied July 1908 race for the Harmsworth Trophy, and designed boats for and participated in many other prominent boating races.

Amazing, right? Wait, there’s more…

In July 1909, Morris Whitaker was on board the Kitcinque in Vinyard sound sailing with the boat’s new owner, Frank D Gheen and his crew on a trial run and the engine caught fire. As the boat began to sink, the group realized the lifeboat only held fewer people than were on board. A veteran sailor, Whitaker felt responsible for the others and voluntarily remained in the water, holding onto the side of the life boat for 11 hours before they were rescued. Later, Gheen gave Whitaker this Chelsea clock in gratitude for his valiant actions. His daughter, Sara Hale Whitaker inherited the clock from her father and has since taken great care to keep it in top condition, sending it to Chelsea for routine maintenance and service.

Kitcinque as depicted in 1909 issue of The Rudder magazine

Interestingly enough, Gheen had owned 4 previous boats christened “Kit” hence this one was the 5th (“cinq” in French, “cinque” in Italian).

We specialize in restoring Chelsea Clocks as well as many other antique clock brands to their original appearance. Common antique clock restoration needs include refinish work on clock cases, dials, and hands. Here’s a story of a clock and how we restored it for its owner…

CASES: Over the years we have serviced thousands of old cases by removing tarnish and restoring them to their original brilliance. We have seen many of the original plated finishes polished off, but once we disassemble the case we can sometimes find clues that show its original color. We offer an array of finishes such as red brass, copper bronze or chrome to name a few.

During the refinishing process, our metal refinishing specialists first chemically strip off all the old lacquer and any oxidation that has built up over the years. At this time any surface dents/scratches will be addressed. Then the case is hand polished and buffed as we do for our new clocks and finally a new clear lacquer seal is applied. We also offer wood refinishing and restoration services.

In the case of the 8 1/2″ Desk Clock and Barometer Set shown below, our technicians performed a complete overhaul on the clock and barometer movements and also refinished the cases, dials, hands and reflectors.

Desk Clock and Barometer Set- Before Picture

Desk Clock and Barometer Set - After Picture

DIALS: There are various things that happen to a clock’s dial as it ages, including marks from winding and setting or attempts to clean the dial with a polish. Once the lacquer seal has been compromised, which will happen over time due to climate or just the natural aging process, the underlying finish is exposed to the elements which will cause it to deteriorate. Because of Chelsea’s unique dial finishing process, we are able to restore most Chelsea Clock dials to their original state. For these dials, we are able to re-silver the clock face and reflector to give it a brand new look. During this restoration process the raised numerals are removed, and the dial is re-silvered using our proprietary silvering process. Then dial is re-lacquered to protect the delicate silver plating.

HANDS: Sometimes hands can’t just be refinished, they need to be replaced. We reuse all the original parts of the instrument but if a hand is damaged beyond repair we will attempt to either locate the correct hand part or at least a hand from the clocks era if we don’t have originals in stock.

For a free estimate of your antique clock complete a clock repair and restoration service form and ship your clock to our facility. Charges for case, dial, hand, and base refinishing will be quoted separately. All movement service work is warranted for two years.

Some things are best left up to professionals, but there are a few things you can do at home to maintain your mechanical clock and minimize the need for premature or unnecessary repairs.

1.  Wind Regularly.  

While our clocks will run for more than one week (7 days), we do suggest that you wind the clock the same day each week for consistent time keeping and prevent the strike train from jamming.

2.  Wipe the case often with a soft cloth to keep dust and fingerprints from harming the finish.  

Do not use any polishes or cleaners on the case or dial as this will compromise the protective coatings.  Most paste polishes tend to leave a residue that will have a corrosive effect on the metal of the case, dial and can occasionally get into the movement and harm it.  If a polish is needed for the outside casing we would recommend using a small amount of pledge sprayed on a cloth first – not directly onto the case. 

3.  Monitor the clock’s time keeping.  

While there is a regulator to help with fine tuning your mechanical clock’s time keeping, once adjusted the clock should run well for many years.  If you find the clock needs frequent regulation this may be a sign that the clock needs service.

4.  Never attempt to oil the clock yourself

...Or spray the movement with any type of lubrication as this will cause more harm than good to your clocks movement.

If you encounter any issues, from time keeping to strike problems with your Chelsea Clock , don’t try to fix it yourself.  Call us!  We are here to help and serviceour customer’s needs.  Click here to submit an inquiry or call 800-284-1778.

Our Clock technicians service both new and antique clocks right here at our factory in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Each clock we service is first completely disassembled and thoroughly cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaning process, which removes any old oils and debris from your clock’s working movement. Next, our technicians carefully inspect each component for damage, wear or breakage.  We burnish and polish pivots, replace or restore worn bushing holes and service or  replace mainsprings.  The escapement, which is the heart beat of the clock, is also disassembled and cleaned for service by our senior watch technician who looks for any damaged components that need repair/replacing.  Once all has been fully serviced, we will reassemble the escapement to the movement, regulate, and accuracy-test your instrument for a minimum of two weeks. All repair work is guaranteed for two years. Whether your clock is 5 or 100 years old, our clock technicians will have your clock performing as if it were new.