Extraordinary Performance, Exceptional Value

Chelsea Clock has built a 115-year reputation as the American leader in precision mechanical timekeeping. We are proud to offer an array of key-wind mechanical clocks to satisfy a number of tastes and budgets. Our famous Shipstrike Mechanical Clock boasts many of the same hallmark qualities as our signature Ship’s Bell Clock, but at an exceptional value. Here are some of the features of this Chelsea timepiece:

• Heavy, solid forged brass case, hand lacquered and polished to resist tarnish
• Hand-crafted German-made timekeeping mechanism
• Hinged bezel for easy opening
• Chiming mechanism (chimes traditional Ship’s Bell code)
• Solid metal gears and parts
• A 5-jewel movement, incorporating tiny gem crystals to reduce friction and wear
• Aluminum dial with painted black numerals
• Full, two-year warranty against defects in material and workmanship

We are pleased to offer two different sizes of  Shipstrike Mechanical Clocks, as well as a full complement of hand-finished hardwood bases for desk or mantle display.

The Embassy clock is an opulent mantle clock that pays homage to the allure and charm of the 19^th century clocks coveted by France’s elite class. Its profile, inspired by the fashionable clocks that often accompanied aristocrats in their horse-drawn carriages or assumed a place of prominence atop grand mantels, reflects the stylistic rectangular design and sturdy construction that popularized these exquisite timepieces.

The style of the Embassy Clock has made it a classic favorite that endures today. Its traditional design is expertly shaped from quality brass by Chelsea Clock’s master craftsmen. This lavish timepiece features distinctive detailing such as handsome vertical stripes in contrasting matte and sheen finishes, graduated molding at the top and base, and stepped feet, making it a welcome addition to fireplace mantels, bookshelves and desks. The Embassy Clock’s smooth, broad cover offers ample room for personalization, including elegant monogramming and line engraving.

While the design of the Chelsea Clock Embassy Clock captures much of the allure and charm of its French predecessors , this particular piece integrates a modern timekeeping mechanism for optimum performance and convenience. A precision German-engineered quartz movement provides quiet accuracy and quick, easy access for adjustments to time.

The Embassy Clock is a yet another fine example of how Chelsea Clock master clockmakers continue to blend classic design with state-of-the-art technology, and bring elegant timekeeping into homes and offices everywhere.

Happy New Year! From all of us at Chelsea Clock, we extend our sincere wishes to you and your family for a very happy, healthy and safe 2012.

As we look ahead to an exciting and promising year, we’d like to take a moment to share just a few notes and stories from friends of Chelsea Clock that helped to make 2011 a memorable and very special year for us and for them.

This letter came to us from a new Chelsea owner in Harvard, Massachusetts:

“At the age of 60, I gave myself a Christmas present of your 8 1/2″ Ship’s Bell Clock in brass. This is something I have admired and desired since I was a teenager. Now that it is in our home I can say it was worth the wait. I am sure you receive many well-deserved praises, but wish to add a comment you may not hear as often. An overriding factor in my willingness to purchase is your continued manufacture of these clocks in Chelsea, MA. If this clock were manufactured outside the United States, I would not have purchased it at any price. It is more than a clock. It is a symbol of the quality and craftsmanship that has made our country great.”

New York City-based DeNatale Fine Jewelers, one of our valued authorized Chelsea Clock retailers, shared this wonderful story with us:

This past November marked the 20th anniversary of the election and enthronement of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,

Worldwide spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christian Church. In celebration of his ministry, Archbishop Demetrios of America and National Commander Anthony Limberakis, MD, presented the spiritual leader a special edition Andover Classic Ship’s Bell Clock. The commemorative timepiece, whose dial was customized with the Patriarchal 20th Anniversary emblem, was presented to His All-Holiness on behalf of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle at a special banquet in Istanbul, Turkey.

And this happy message from Tom Piraino, a proud father and one of our long-time distributors of Chelsea Clock timepieces and barometers to companies and organizations across the country:

“I just wanted to share some wonderful holiday news: my son, who is in the Delaware National Guard, just arrived home from basic training in Fort Benning, Georgia. It’s the best Christmas gift we could hope for! With basic training behind him, it’s now on to twenty six weeks of technical training in Satellite Communications at Fort Gordon. We are so proud of him, and of all of the many dedicated men and women who are serving – or preparing to serve – our country.”

It’s so nice to share good news. And we look forward to sharing much more with you in the days and weeks ahead. Please feel free to share your stories and thoughts with us, too!

Chelsea clocks use a hammer and gong to produce our trademark sound. The strike hammer rises and falls onto a circular gong in the back of the case. If the sound is not a clean stroke, with a clear ringing tone, it can be adjusted as follows.

On the back of the case you will see a circular plate, held in place by three screws. Removing this plate allows a clear view of the hammer and the gong. At rest, the hammer head should be poised about 1/8″ above the circular gong. This allows the hammer to fall onto the gong and bounce clear, allowing the bell to ring after being struck. A slight adjustment of the wire that the hammer head is mounted on is all that is necessary to improve the sound quality. With a little patience and care, you should be able to restore our trademark Chelsea Clock sound to your clock’s strike. Move the hands ahead and allow the clock to strike several times while the plate is off, observing the action of the strike hammer. On the half hour strike, you should note that the strike hammer remains up in the air at the completion of the cycle. Move the minute hand ahead to the hour position. After the clock strikes the hour, the hammer will be at rest above the circular gong.  Make a slight bend on the brass wire that the hammer head is mounted on to affect the change in the sound quality. When you are satisfied with the sound, replace the inspection plate with the three screws. Check the strike sound one or two more times, making sure that the hammer doesn’t rub on the inside of the inspection plate.

Enjoy the sound of your Chelsea clock.

A symbol of solidarity and strength, the Chelsea Clock Presidential Clock is a magnificent timepiece that celebrates the enduring spirit of both visionaries and everyday people who dare to dream of making a difference. . .and do.

Throughout history Chelsea Clock timepieces have graced the homes of dignitaries, and stood in faithful observance during encounters among world officials. Our clocks’ visual appeal, combined with their rich history are just some of the reasons Chelsea clocks are often chosen as cultural ambassadors for the United States. In fact, Chelsea timepieces have been offered as official gifts by many of our country’s presidents.

In both name and design, the Presidential Clock reflects significant achievement in the art of superb clock making for which Chelsea Clock is world renowned. This exquisite piece brings stately elegance to any room, with its hand-finished solid forged brass case and rich, solid mahogany base. Boasting a 4.5” dial with traditional black Roman numerals, this classically-styled piece features a quality German-engineered quartz movement.

Strength. Precision. Endurance. These are but some of the many qualities that define a great leader. They are also some of  the same characteristics that shape the Chelsea Clock Presidential Clock and help make it a lasting symbol of accomplishment for those fortunate enough to receive it.

“Voyage: (n) 1. a journey, travel, or passage, esp one to a distant land or by sea or air.”

There are times when limitations overpower or inhibit change. Then there are those wondrous instances where certain restrictions only serve to motivate us more to push beyond what’s easy or expected, often leading to exciting new solutions. Such is the case with our Voyager Collection of clocks and barometers. Through the years, many of our customers have expressed their frustrations with outfitting their boats when cabin or dash space is limited. We, in turn, accepted this challenge and set to work on adapting our products to best meet their needs. The result: a new collection that offers the same exceptional quality and performance for which Chelsea Clock is world renowned, but in a more compact size and format.

The intensity, commitment and challenge of voyaging naturally leans toward no-frills, no distractions and no fuss — just man conquering wind and sea. Those same requirements are what lead us to create a nautical line, with a total focus on a mariner’s duties, attainable for any Chelsea Clock admirer. The Voyager Brass Nautical Clocks and Barometers place practice over theory, function over form, voyaging over cruising. Performance is paramount.  Made for use in the tight space of a captain’s quarters, we crafted the nautical clocks for easy accessibility, agility to fit in various spaces, and with minimal upkeep.

With pronounced clarity and simplistic contemporary style, the austerity of the design is in it’s adherence to necessity. Compact, clean yet still a figure of Chelsea Clock’s tradition of excellence.    Matte-finished forged brass, beveled glass, and a clear noble face prove the pieces to be reliable instruments for any travel on the sea.

 The Voyager Clock and Barometer Set on a Mahogany Plaque blends in with the wooden panels that line a vessels quarters, and it’s solid properties attribute to its high-resistance to deterioration which is why it has been a cornerstone in boat construction.  Those details that represent the seafarers environment make these ideal nautical gifts to grace staterooms, cabins, quarters and the rooms of your life.

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.

Our Latest Precision Clock and Barometer Series

Introducing the Voyager Collection Nautical Clock and Barometer Series: Answering the Call for “Small”

Over the years, many of our customers have asked us about creating a clock and barometer collection that would fit the more compact spaces of certain boat dashboards and galleys. We are pleased to satisfy this request with the introduction of the new Voyager Collection of fine nautical clocks and barometers, available exclusively at www.ChelseaClock.com.

The Voyager Collection is designed for display in a variety of settings – especially where space may be limited. Crafted from durable, solid forged brass and machined to an exquisite matte finish, the Voyager Collection boasts clean lines and fresh, contemporary styling.  The Voyager Clock, powered by a precision quartz movement, features a military-inspired 3 ½” dial (available in either white or ebony) with 12- and 24-hour markings and classically detailed hands. The matching Barometer, also available in either white or ebony, features an easy-to-read dial with inch and millibar scales and a German-engineered single bellows holosteric movement. Both Voyager pieces feature a handsome beveled glass crystal and are flawlessly hand lacquered to be weatherproof and prevent tarnish. Both the Voyager Clock and Barometer measure 3 13/16” Dia. x 1 ¾” D. and carry a retail price of $175.

“Our Voyager Collection offers nautical enthusiasts a new series of expertly-engineered clocks and barometers, especially designed to fit into settings where space may be limited,” says JK Nicholas, CEO of Chelsea Clock. “This collection provides customers with the high quality design and superior craftsmanship for which Chelsea Clock is renowned, at an attractive value.”

The Ship’s Bell Clock is a Chelsea Clock classic. First patented in 1898, the movement of the clock is what the Company calls a “4L”, which includes a distinguished chime coordinated with a mariner’s bell code for keeping watch at sea. Alerting mariners to time during their “watch” by employing the unique Ship’s Bell chime earned the Company the name “Timekeepers of the Sea.”

“The patents have been carried over from generation to generation,” said Dan Der Marderosian, Manager of Engineering Services. The Ship’s Bell movement at Chelsea Clock is one of the last remaining mechanical movements still produced in the United States. There was a time in the mid 1900s when the American clock industry included many companies crafting such timepieces, many of them right here in New England. Slowly these companies went out of business – as with many handcrafted trades they could not compete with the rising costs of labor, the rise of industrial manufacturing, and specifically in the clock industry, the introduction of the quartz movement.

Early 1900s Drawing - First Ship's Bell Mechanism

Der Marderosian comes from the automotive engineering field which focuses on high volume manufacturing and computer aided design — a stark contrast to Chelsea Clock’s craftsmanship that has been passed down to each new member of the team through hand drawn designs. “From a Mechanical Engineer’s perspective the precision, gears, pinions, and levers were quite interesting to me,” said Der Marderosian.

Dan Der Marderosian Manager, Engineering Services at Chelsea Clock

He spoke of the detail that goes into a mechanical clock especially one with a striking mechanism that the Ship’s Bell Clock is revered for and the intricacies involved with the bells striking on a cycle. Before the computer age, Chelsea Clock draftsmen would construct hand drawn blueprints of the clock’s internal jewels and pieces. They articulated with the aid of the pencil how those pieces coincided for the clock’s precise motion. Those drawings are still used today as the basis of the internal architecture of the Ship’s Bell Clock. The draftsmen were yesterday’s engineers, and today Chelsea Clock has preserved their work along with the original patents to craft the Ship’s Bell Clock.

Just as the Ship’s Bell Clock is viewed as a family’s legacy being passed down from generation to generation; Der Marderosian is one of the people at Chelsea that has “inherited” the clock’s historical mechanical movement and the original drawings. He is currently seeped in analysis, lining clocks up along the edge of his desk to methodically calculate and record the complexities of each piece. His practice will ensure the designs and theory carved out by previous Chelsea Clock makers will endure for ages. “The Ship’s Bell Clock – we inherited it. And I am examining it from a technical and engineering standpoint so that main design is maintained and understood by others in the Company.”

With 360 plus gold plated parts, and the assembly of each done by hand, some of the knowledge behind the designs was passed on verbally and the art work of each individual draftsman was drawn with that in mind. Der Marderosian and his team are reviewing the previous works of each draftsman, some over 100 years old. Their efforts will ensure that the knowledge and craftsmanship behind Chelsea Clock’s flagship timepiece will be preserved for the next 100 years to come.

Each Ship’s Bell Clock is made and assembled by hand at our factory in Chelsea, Massachusetts. It takes up to four weeks to make each timepiece, which is made with over seven pounds of solid brass and hundreds of precision, gold plated parts. The clock strikes the Ship’s Bell Code* with a rich, nautical tone reminiscent of life at sea.

*Mariners have used a unique bell code to tell time at sea for hundreds of years. The code is based on the crew’s typical workday routine while the vessel is under way. A ship at sea requires constant attention throughout the day’s twenty-four hours. The day is therefore divided into six four-hour periods, each called a “watch.” Similarly, the crew is segmented into three divisions. Division members then stand their individually assigned duties on two watches per day, with eight hours off duty between watches. To rotate each division’s watch times, the Evening Watch is periodically divided into two watches. These are called Dog Watches because they “dog” the watch schedule for all divisions ahead by one watch period.

First Watch 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Mid-Watch (also Black Watch) 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Morning Watch 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Forenoon Watch 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Afternoon Watch 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Evening Watch 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The watch officer struck the ship’s bell every half hour to apprise the crew of the time. A single bell denoted the end of the first half hour and one bell was added each half-hour. Eight bells therefore signaled the end of each four-hour watch. Like centuries of seafarers, you’ll soon know the time when the clock chimes, even if you can’t see it.

8 bells 12:00 4:00 8:00
1 bell 12:30 4:30 8:30
2 bells 1:00 5:00 9:00
3 bells 1:30 5:30 9:30
4 bells 2:00 6:00 10:00
5 bells 2:30 6:30 10:30
6 bells 3:00 7:00 11:00
7 bells 3:30 7:30 11:30