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.

 Trying to decide between a Chelsea Clock mechanical clock and a quartz clock? The differences between the two mechanisms are vast, and offer distinctly different experiences, depending on your preferences. Yet no matter which mechanism you choose, you can be sure you’re bringing home an exceptional timepiece that will stand, well. . .the test of time.

 To help you decide, here’s a quick overview of the Chelsea Clock Ship’s Bell Mechanical Clock and our famous Shipstrike Quartz Clock.  While both are hand assembled right here in the original factory in Chelsea, Massachusetts, by our master clockmakers, there are subtle – and not-so-subtle – differences that make each of these timepieces truly unique.

On the outside, both the Chelsea Clock Ship’s Bell and Shipstrike clocks share many of the same qualities that have made the Chelsea name synonymous with exceptional beauty and quality. Both cases are made from heavy, solid forged brass (not cast or stamped from sheet brass), hand finished and lacquered to last a lifetime. And both are available mounted on one of our solid American hardwood bases, hand rubbed to a lustrous rich mahogany or cherry finish. And, of course, both strike the traditional Chelsea Clock Ship’s Bell chimes: eight bells at 4, 8, and 12 o’clock to mark the end of a mariner’s watch, with one bell for the first half hour after, plus one additional bell with each subsequent half hour.

But the main difference between these two timepieces is the internal mechanism, which is most clearly reflected in the price of each piece. The Chelsea Ship’s Bell Clock features a key-wound 8-day movement, while the Shipstrike Clock is powered by a battery-operated quartz movement. The Ship’s Bell Clock features our patented, hand-assembled mechanism, comprised of some 364 precision brass parts – many plated with gold to resist corrosion – as well as an 11-jewel escapement.   There is no sound quite like a Chelsea Clock Ship’s Bell chime; the solid forged brass case resonates a rich, mellow tone when the clock’s leather-covered hammer strikes our patented Chelsea bell.

On the other hand, the Chelsea Clock Shipstrike Quartz Clock features a battery-operated precision German quartz movement, offering owners the convenience of an automatic, non-winding timepiece. While Shipstrike Quartz version also strikes the famous Ship’s Bell chimes, the striking mechanism is powered by an electronic current rather than by a mechanical escapement and mainspring.

Another difference between these two Chelsea clocks is in their dials: the Ship’s Bell Clock boasts a solid brass plate, hand silvered with acid-etched, enameled numerals, while the Shipstrike Quartz Clock features a machined dial with imprinted numerals. And finally, the Ship’s Bell Clock comes with a Chelsea Clock five-year warranty, while the Shipstrike Quartz Clock carries a two-year warranty.

But whether you choose a Chelsea Ship’s Bell or Shipstrike Quartz clock, there’s absolutely no difference between these two pieces when it comes to your satisfaction. You’ll be acquiring a quality timepiece made by one of America’s most renowned clockmakers, guaranteed to bring you many years of enjoyment!

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.

Dating back to the early 1900s, when Chelsea first began making the Ship’s Bell, detailed records have been kept of each Ship’s Bell Clock ever produced by the company. Each Ship’s Bell Clock is individually numbered and then registered prior to leaving the factory. The model numbers are stored within a library of log books, which include not only when the Ship’s Bell Clock was made and who it was sold to, but also holds records of any service work we may have performed on the timepiece. This unchanged, century old process, is an example of how Chelsea Clock has been able to guarantee consistent quality and service for over 100 years.

Often a Chelsea Clock is handed down through generations and the inheritor is curious about the clock’s history, or a collector of antiques comes across a Chelsea Clock at an auction and is anxious to determine its age to estimate its value*. Chelsea Clock offers a Certificate of Origin for any Ship’s Bell Clock ever produced by the company.   Each certificate is embossed with a Chelsea Clock stamp of approval and is hand signed by JK Nicholas, President and CEO.

Are you curious to know when your clock shipped from our factory?  If you post a picture of your clock with your serial number on the Chelsea Clock Facebook page we will send you a free Certificate of Origin, a $35 value.  This offer is valid through October 31, 2011 and the oldest clock posted will receive a $250 repair gift certificate to be used on your next repair order at Chelsea Clock.  Post a photo of your favorite clock today.

* Note: Chelsea Clock does not provide clock appraisal services

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.

A comrade through the tragedies and triumph of war, for decades Chelsea Clock has been crafting specially made clocks for the United States Navy that have accompanied men to withering adventures, remote areas, surging seas and temperamental environments. Rigorous testing and the proof that the pulsing tick-tock of a Chelsea Clock would keep beating consistently and precisely above all and many tribulations were some of the requirements for a Chelsea Clock to enlist as a timekeeper for the nation’s battles.

It was the accuracy and durability of a Chelsea Clock that the government sought out when it chose to supply a large portion of its navy vessels with the Boston Based company’s time instruments. As the government expected the clock went along with their men to the depths of the earth. Sometimes both companions came out unscathed from the unforgettable acts of war. And sometimes it is the clock alone that is intact, salvaged from the wreckage of war.

A Chelsea Clock found aboard the USS Saratoga, air craft carrier from 1920.

Experts at the Chelsea factory ensured the timely instrument would thrive in unexpected conditions. And before the 12E clock was packed up and shipped off to anywhere “World” it withstood internal tests that mimicked situations it could encounter endured during World War II or Vietnam.

In an interview with now retired John McCarthy, an employee that worked as a manufacturing manager for 28 years, he explained that the clock Jim Leone built was more accurate than any of its day. “In those days a mechanical clock would only keep time maybe an accuracy of only two or three minutes a day. But the 12E that Jim Leone built was plus or minus three seconds a day in accuracy,” said McCarthy who currently works for the company in a consulting role. Leone, the director of engineering during the mid 1900’s designed a clock above and beyond government requirements. The clock was required to have the utmost resilience to: various conditions, weather, sea, the sound waves of a shooting ship’s gun etc. “It doesn’t take much of a shock to stop it [the escapement of a clock], and the parts are very small. But this clock was made [to go through all kinds of tests] to drop to the floor and it would still work.”

McCarthy recalled several of the tests the clocks were put through before they were sent to locations he could not recall. In particular the staff placed clocks in a deep freezer cabinet with dry ice. The clocks would stay in that sealed off environment for days, with the temperature dropping to below 80 degrees below zero. The clocks would stop working as the conditions would congeal the oil; however the testament to clock’s ability to endure extreme conditions was that it would start working again once the temperature rose. The amazement was not that it only still ticked. The amazement was that the clocks kept time precisely, even after living through temperatures that most wildlife could not withstand.

“Commander” Ship’s Bell Clock by Chelsea, Serial #76562, Boston, c. 1911, with mahogany stand supporting the lacquered brass case, 12 in. dia. hinged bezel, 10 in. dia. silvered brass “Special” dial with raised Arabic numerals and marked Chelsea Clock Company, Boston and Ship’s Bell, serpentine hands, eight-day time and ship’s bell strike movement with gilt-brass plates stamped Chelsea Clock Co., Boston, USAand 76562, ht. 17 in.

A letter from the Chelsea Clock Company dated July 12, 1984, states that this clock was “sold to Daniel Pratt & Son on December 30, 1911.” Daniel Pratt & Son was a long-standing retail clock and jewelry establishment in Boston.  See auction details.

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.