Chelsea Clock is pleased to announce that it has reclaimed over 80 marine mechanical clocks installed on Victory Ships built by the U.S. Maritime Commission during World War II.
These authentic military timepieces, produced for the U.S. Government in the 1940s, are being returned to optimum working condition by Chelsea’s certified Repair & Restoration technicians. As each piece in the Vintage Victory Collection is restored, it will be made available for purchase on this site.
All 80+ clocks are being disassembled and ultrasonically cleaned. Any worn and broken pieces will be repaired or replaced. And cases are being revived, while taking special care to preserve their vintage appearance. Each clock bears its original Chelsea Clock serial number, and includes information about the U.S. Victory Ship upon which it sailed.
November 20, 2012 at 4:00 am
I would like to find out which ship mychelsea us maritime commissioned ship clock was used on i have two serial numbers. the case number is 298833 and the face’s serial number is 8467. email me at babindawn@ymail.com if interested in it. condition is not in working order and the glass has been broken or removed. it is cool
December 20, 2012 at 10:27 am
According to the serial number you have provided (serial number 298833), your 6″ marine mechanical clock was sold to the U.S. Maritime Commission on April 22, 1942.
November 30, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Greetings.
Just a word to say I’m very pleased with the time keeping of my Victory Ship mechanical clock, which is doing service once again as a radio room clock, but this time around in a shore Ham Station, where the old clock still gets to hear lots of Morse Code!
I do suggest that on your website you could indicate that you cannot unfortunately identify the actual service history of all Maritime Commission Victory Ship clocks.
For instance, the service history of my clock (ser. 447546, shipped June 21 1944), was not known. If by any chance you do now have this history, I’d certainly appreciate it.
As indicated earlier, I’m a great admirer of the Victories, having seen them at sea and in port during my (peace-time) sea-going career. At sea on the Australian coast we often watched them pop up over the horizon and go past us! The sight of the cargo derricks luffed up to the mast cross trees ready for use in the next port, was a preliminary indicator that we were looking at a Victory. Those ships had good strong stable signals on-air, as well.
Regards,
Colin Whale,
Brisbane, Australia.
December 20, 2012 at 10:20 am
Thank you for your note. We are very pleased to hear that your Victory Ship clock is keeping accurate time! Unfortunately, we do not always know the name of the ship from which our vintage Victory Ship clocks come, as we acquire them from a variety of different sources. You may wish to contact the U.S. Maritime Commission to request this background and provide them with the Chelsea Clock serial number.
January 18, 2013 at 8:09 pm
I would like to buy a vintage Victory/Liberty ship or any other vintage clock. How do I find the inventory and pricing.
Thank you!
February 19, 2013 at 9:01 pm
Gene,
The best way to keep up with the latest vintage clock offerings is to sign up for our newsletter. Here is the link. Just choose “Vintage” as your area of interest.
http://www.chelseaclock.com/contact-us
October 28, 2013 at 4:50 pm
Tengo un reloj marino de 24 horas cuyo numero de serie es 236270 y me gustaria saber a que barco de la Marina de Estados Unidos pertenecio y el año de fabricacion desde ya muchas gracias y disculpen no se escribir en ingles
HEBER GRUNVALD
October 29, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Hello Heber:
With the help of “Google Translation,” we understand your question was:
“I have a 24-hour marine clock whose serial number is 236270 and I would like to know to which U.S. Navy boat it belonged and the year of manufacture.”
Here is what our records indicate for serial number 236270: This 8 1/2″ Ship’s Bell Clock was sold to Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company on September 29, 1939. Unfortunately, we do not have details about the ship on which this timepiece was installed. You may wish to contact the U.S. Maritime Commission for further information. Thank you for your interest.
Hola Heber:
Con la ayuda de la “Google Traductor”, entendemos su pregunta fue:
“Tengo un reloj marino de 24 horas, cuyo número de serie es 236270 y me gustaría saber a qué barcos Marina de los EE.UU. perteneció y el año de fabricación.”
Esto es lo que nuestros registros indican por el número de serie 236270:. Campana reloj Este 8 1/2 “de la nave fue vendida a la construcción naval Federal & Dry Dock Company en 29 de septiembre 1939 Por desgracia, no disponemos de información sobre el barco en el que este reloj fue instalada. Puede ponerse en contacto con la Comisión Marítima de los EE.UU. para obtener más información. Gracias por su interés.
September 4, 2014 at 8:20 pm
Hello I have a 24 hour Us Navy Chelsea Vintage clock it measures 6 and a half inches across the face the serial number is 6169E. Would like to know the year of manufacture and possibly what ship she was commissioned to. Any Information would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.
September 19, 2014 at 3:53 pm
I have a 24 hour Chelsea clock, Serial #661011 What info can you share with me in this? Thank you SSG John Carpenter USA (Retired)
October 1, 2014 at 10:30 am
Hello John,
Thank you for your note. Serial number 661011 was sold to the United States Army on February 18, 1963, and it was listed as a 6″ marine mechanical clock. This is all that we show in our manufacturing log book. I hope it is helpful.
Thank you for contacting Chelsea Clock!
August 15, 2015 at 2:12 pm
I have a clock from the Liberty that was sinking on its way back to port. The sailors were taking items off the ship before it was to be scrap metal. The # on the back is 300477. Face is 8″ and 10″ over all. It’s all brass with a white face. Can this clock be restored and how much to restore?
March 17, 2016 at 12:30 pm
Hi Brian,
What a wonderful piece of history you have in your possession! This clock can absolutely be restored to like-new condition. Please fill out a repair request form on our website or give us a ring at 617-884-0250. I’m providing a link to find information about repair and restoration where you’ll also find the request form I mentioned. http://www.chelseaclock.com/p/repair-restoration/ — please feel free to email me at lindsayt@chelseaclock.com if you have further questions. Thanks! -Lindsay
March 17, 2016 at 1:45 am
I have a nickel plated 4.5 inch dial Chelsea Ship’s Bell clock with threaded bezel and matching Barometer. The clock is a platform escapement design, with simple lever fast/slow adjuster. The clock is stamped, “-2-4-7 -2-8-3 251573” on the back mounting flange, and the barometer is stamped, “5 39”
Both the clock and barometer are working and appear to be in superb physical condition inside and out. They are obviously fairly old, and exceptionally well made instruments.
I would be curious to know if there is an indication of where the factory originally sent this clock.
March 17, 2016 at 12:32 pm
Hi Bill, Thanks for your inquiry. If you wouldn’t mind, please email me this request at lindsayt@chelseaclock.com and I will pass it along to our resident historian. Thank you!
-Lindsay
May 9, 2016 at 12:02 am
HI, I WUOLD LIKE TO NOW ABOUT THIS SERIAL NUMBER 632 700, ON FRONT READS THIS GEO. E. BUTLER CO SAN FRNACISCO. ALL INFO. IT WILL BE SO HELPFULL. THANKS.
June 6, 2016 at 11:07 am
Hi Jorge,
Can you please send this request, along with the photo, to me directly at lindsayt@chelseaclock.com? Once I get the email request I can easily check with our records department for you. Thank you!
Lindsay @Chelsea Clock
May 9, 2016 at 12:11 am
HI, AGAIN IF NEED A PHOTO JUST LET ME NOW.
August 4, 2016 at 3:27 pm
Hey folks, I just stumbled across Chelsea Clock Serial Number 431. It is a black phenolic case and a polished metal face. It is a 12 hour dial and reads “U.S. Maritime Commission” just below center.
Could you provide any information on this?
August 21, 2016 at 5:34 pm
Hello, I recently acquired one of these clocks with the face stating “Ser No. 1942”. This is a brass faced dial. I’m wondering if this was refinished at some point; or possibly made that way? Also, there is a problem in the mechanism. I can turn the winder, but it won’t catch; and it unwinds. Is this a “sprung” spring, or gear problem you think? I’m wondering if a repair part is available? Thank you.
April 10, 2017 at 7:01 am
Hello I am trying to find any info on my vintage chelsea 8 1/2″ clock with u.s. government on front. Its a 24 hour clock with inscribed number of 677410
July 15, 2017 at 7:55 pm
I would like to find out about a clock I purchased. Serial #47996E. U.S. Navy
August 12, 2017 at 5:03 pm
I have a white faced U.S. Government clock with a key. My dad acquired it roughly 20 yrs ago.
It has 1-12 hrs for the large #’s and 00-23 inside those #’s.
It doesn’t have a serial # on the face and I’m afraid of taking in apart for the serial # on the inside.
Looking at the back of it there is a number scratched into it that I’m hoping could be the serial #. It is 658061. Maybe there is some info available from that #.
August 13, 2017 at 1:22 am
I recieved my grandfathers clock, and can not find information it. If you can point me in the right direction i would really appreciate it. Mine is in perfect working order all original parts, works great and keeps better time then most new clock i have. The face serial is 79312E and the mechanism serial is 471696. Please any information that could identify what ship is was on, and anything else. Thank you in advance. My email Rickjames4real40@gmail.com
September 2, 2017 at 4:18 pm
My Father In Law passed away and we found this. “He was in the Navy”. Chelsea clock. US Navy, Serial #82703E. Any info on it? Can you tell me which Ship it was on? How much this is worth?
Thank You. Melissa
September 19, 2017 at 4:27 pm
Hello, I would love to find out which ship my Chelsea clock was from and what year it was made if possible. The number on the back says 308946. If you have any information I would greatly appreciate it!
October 30, 2017 at 7:24 am
“I have a 24-hour marine clock whose serial number is 8882 and I would like to know to which U.S. Navy boat it belonged and the year of manufacture.”
November 11, 2017 at 1:05 pm
I have a Chelsea 24 hour US Navy clock that I got after my Grandfather passed away. I have no desire to sell it but would like to know where it came from. The only serial number visible is on the clock face and is 31635E on the face of the clock. Don’t want to take it apart to look inside for another and was just wondering about the history of the clock and approximate value for insurance reasons.
March 27, 2018 at 2:11 am
Hello, I have a beautiful Chelsea US Navy clock, Serial number 118900, with a face serial N 2453. Would love to know the origin and if it ever sailed.
Also, is it possible to have them serviced and have parts replaced as necessary? In advance, thank you.
July 27, 2018 at 3:09 pm
Hello Joss,
According to our manufacturing log, this clock is listed as a 6″ Marine Mechanical Clock, originally sold to the U.S. Naval Observatory on May 3, 1918. You are welcome to send this clock to Chelsea for evaluation and free estimate to repair and/or replace any parts. Simply visit our website at http://www.chelseaclock.com/p/repair-restoration/ for details. Thank you!
April 5, 2018 at 4:23 pm
We found a Chelsea Boston clock in my in-laws basement. It is hard to make out the numbers on the back. It is something like
4 0 or 8 734 2694
3512534 if anyone can make any of this out. It is all black and still works once I loosen the front and comes with a key
July 27, 2018 at 3:33 pm
Hello Trina,
Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately, there are too many numbers and none happen to match entries in our manufacturing log. We would need to see an image or the actual clock in order to locate the actual serial number and research its background. You may wish to visit our Repair & Restoration section for more information. Thank you!
April 16, 2018 at 4:52 pm
My 1st husband served in the Navy. He passed away in 1963. Chelsea clock he left me was # 643749. Any value and information on it?
July 27, 2018 at 3:56 pm
Hello Irene,
According to our manufacturing log, serial # 643749 is listed as a 3 3/4″ Ship’s Bell Clock, originally sold to J. B. Hudson Jewelers on December 5, 1960. Unfortunately, that is all the information that we have on this piece. Chelsea Clock does not provide appraisal services. However, you may wish to bring it to a local antique dealer for an appraisal and current market value. Thank you!
April 24, 2018 at 4:20 pm
Please give me information on
Chelsea Navy clock #643749 0r 693749. I can’t tell for sure if there’s a 9 or a 4 in 2nd spot.
April 24, 2018 at 4:23 pm
Please give information on Chelsea clock #643749 or 693749. I can’t tell if the 2nd # is a 4 or a 9.
May 20, 2018 at 3:39 am
I have a Chelsea Clock Company Boston.
It has U.S. Navy Clock under Hands (3 hands).
1-60 inner circle 15/30/45/60, 60-60 in Outer Circle in 5’s,
00-23 for a 24 hour Clock. It also had the round sprocket with E on top and F at the Bottom.
Under the Hands is
U.S. NAVY
Ser N. 85065E
Any Idea what ship and and Value?
Thank you,
Patrick
July 26, 2018 at 11:16 am
Hello Patrick,
Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately, Chelsea Clock does not have information on what ships our clocks have sailed; the U.S. Navy assigns those serial numbers and tracks that information. CAlso, Chelsea Clock does not provide appraisal services. You may wish to bring the timepiece to a local antique appraiser for information on current market values. Thank you.
June 14, 2018 at 6:10 pm
I requested information several months ago, and never received a reply. I have a Chelsea U.S. government Navy ships clock from the 1960’s. Serial number looks like 643749. All in tact and in very good shape. Chelsea wind key included, inscribed ” Chelsea”. Any value you can give me?
July 31, 2018 at 4:04 pm
Hello Irene,
Out apologies for the delay in responding! Thank you for your inquiry. According to our manufacturing log, serial #643799 is listed as a 3 3/4″ Ship’s Bell Clock and was originally sold to J. B. Hudson Co. on December 5, 1960. Unfortunately, that is all the information that we have on file. Chelsea Clock does not provide appraisal services. You may wish to bring it to a local antique dealer to inquire about its current market value. Thank you!
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July 8, 2018 at 7:44 am
Good day,
I was wondering if you can tell me a little about my Chelsea 24 hr U.S. Navy clock. It has a serial number 84899E on it.
Thanks
July 31, 2018 at 5:09 pm
Hello Mike,
Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately, the serial number you have provided does not match an entry in our manufacturing log. If you could provide the serial number stamped onto the movement, it may prove more helpful. Thank you!
August 3, 2018 at 11:48 pm
Patrick,
Thanks for the information, I opened my Chelsea clock and found the correct serial number on the internal workings, amazing workmanship, spent a solid 45 minutes totally absorbed with all the moving parts. The serial number is 489492. I real hope you can find some info on this beautiful clock.
Thank you for your tireless efforts
Mike
August 14, 2018 at 3:54 pm
Hello Mike,
According to our manufacturing log, serial number 489492 was originally sold to the U.S. Navy on May 30, 1945, and is listed as an 8.5″ Marine Mechanical Clock. Hope this is helpful!
July 31, 2018 at 11:05 pm
Would 658061 possibly be a serial #? I have a white faced U.S. Government clock with a key. My dad acquired it roughly 20 yrs ago.
It has 1-12 hrs for the large #’s and 00-23 inside those #’s.
It doesn’t have a serial # on the face and I’m afraid of taking in apart for the serial # on the inside.
Looking at the back of it there is a number scratched into it that I’m hoping could be the serial #. It is 658061. Maybe there is some info available from that #.
July 31, 2018 at 11:06 pm
Would 658061 possibly be a serial #? I posted a year ago and didn’t get a reply so I figured I’d try again.
August 14, 2018 at 3:48 pm
Hello Kristina,
Our apologies for not responding on your earlier inquiry. According to our manufacturing log, serial number 658061 was originally sold to the U.S. Navy on October 11, 1962, and is listed as an 8.5″ Marine Mechanical Clock. Unfortunately, that is all the information that we have on file. Many thanks!
August 5, 2018 at 10:30 am
I have a 24 hour Navy clock and it says serial number on the face, but there is no number. Anybody know why or have details? Assume it may be on the inside. The clock works really well and I’m not sure I want to risk taking it apart to find out.
August 5, 2018 at 1:48 pm
I have several Chelsea maritime wall clocks, some with a number on the face and some blank. The oldest has a hand scratched N superimposed on an O and a four digit number.
I believe the number on the face indicates a particular clock had been certified by the US Naval Observatory laboratory. The clocks I have with the space on the face left blank were World War II era. I presume there simply was not enough time for the huge number of clocks that were put into service for the war effort to be individually tested by the USNO.
The Chelsea serial number is stamped on the movement and also usually appears on the back of the case. The number on the case is sometimes not the same as the movement because government service depots sometimes swapped movements in order to get clocks back into service faster. The government was not as especially interested in maintaining the historical nature of its clocks.
August 14, 2018 at 12:52 pm
Hello Mike, The serial number on the dial was assigned by the U.S. Navy. Unfortunately, we would need the serial number that is etched either on the back of the clock case or on the mechanism inside the clock. If you can provide that to us, we may be able to find some information in our manufacturing log book. Thanks!
August 8, 2018 at 5:53 am
Hello
I have a Chelsea 6in 24hr clock, which is still keeping “perfect” time (+/- 10sec per week).
The dial has s/n 18031E stamped below U.S. NAVY.
Would you have any information of its antecedents?
Regards
Jeffrey
Yacht “Certa Cito”
Cairns, Australia
August 14, 2018 at 4:00 pm
Hello Jeffrey,
Thank you for your note. Unfortunately, we would need to know the serial number located on the mechanism in order to provide any available information from our manufacturing log (the serial number on the dial was assigned by the U.S. Navy). Thanks!
August 10, 2018 at 12:36 pm
Hello,
I am hoping you can help me, my dad recently passed away and was a avid collector of maritime clocks and we have no information on any of his clocks. He has 6 that we’ve found so far, I am trying to get any info you might have on the most recent one we found. The serial number is 675228, but here is the problem it is not on the front next to Ser No. it looks like someone scratched it into the back..is there another place someone might of found the serial number like on the inside? Thank you for any information you might help. I would be happy to share photos
August 14, 2018 at 4:08 pm
Hello Shani,
Our condolences on your father’s passing. According to our manufacturing log book, serial number 675228 was originally sold to the U.S. Navy Department on May 29, 1964, and is listed as a 6″ Marine Mechanical Clock. Unfortunately, that is all the information that we have. We hope this is helpful.
August 10, 2018 at 11:35 pm
Hello I have a 24 hour Us Navy Chelsea clock it measures 6 and a half inches across the face ,and is marked U.S. Navy SER. No. 34909E .The clock case appear to be Bakelite. I would like to know the year of manufacture and possibly what ship she was commissioned to. Any Information would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.
August 14, 2018 at 4:16 pm
Hello GR Franke,
Thank you for your note. Unfortunately, the serial number appearing on the clock dial was assigned by the U.S. Navy and we do not have access to that information. However, if you can provide the serial number that appears on the mechanism, we may have information about the year of manufacture and to whom it was originally sold. Thanks!
August 14, 2018 at 5:48 pm
Hello Patrick
The serial numbers are:
421794
316071
Regards
Jeffrey
August 25, 2018 at 5:05 pm
I have a Chelsea clock co. boston, has a number reading on the back 498669. I would like to know more about it
September 20, 2018 at 2:04 pm
I have a 8 1/2 ” 24 hour bakelite US Navy clock serial on face is 364E, on back are 2 numbers first is DT-0407-1092e4, then there is 220260. both of these are scratched into case. Any info would be wonderful.
Thanks, Cliff
October 13, 2018 at 3:39 pm
I have a Chelsea Clock U. S. Maritime Commission Serial # 9775. I don’t have any other number on it, unless it is on the inside somewhere. Could you tell how old it is? What ship it might have been on? Thanks Tanya
October 15, 2018 at 3:44 pm
hi my name is Juan Carlos red, I have a clock with following series 28496E chelsea clock co. Boston, was taken out of the water in Brooklyn USA in the year 1969 from a mining vessel, by my father, diver of the Chilean Navy, I would like to know which vessel would correspond, what history it has, what year it is, I am from Chile and I appreciate your attention, my email is juanmag@hotmail.cl
November 16, 2018 at 3:17 pm
I have a clock with US Navy ser no. 71114E.
Wondering when and where was this clock used.
Thanks.
November 16, 2018 at 3:20 pm
Also on the back is an engraved number 430891
December 28, 2018 at 8:10 am
hi my name is Juan Carlos red, I have a clock with following series 28496E chelsea clock co. Boston, was taken out of the water in Brooklyn USA in the year 1969 from a mining vessel, by my father, diver of the Chilean Navy, I would like to know which vessel would correspond, what history it has, what year it is, I am from Chile and I appreciate your attention, my email is jucaroj.14013@gmail.com
Agradeceré responder a este correo debido que el anterior se bloqueo gracias
January 28, 2019 at 4:48 pm
I would like to find out which ship mychelsea us maritime commissioned ship clock was used on. The ser number is 453545E. Email me at blepore1944@gmail.com if interested in it. It is is working condition. Thank You Bob
January 30, 2019 at 9:19 pm
I have a Chelsea deck clock, serial number 69953E working, with key, US Navy stamped on the face. Would you tell me when this clock was made, and possibly which ship it was on? Thanks, Charles
March 5, 2019 at 5:22 pm
Hello, I am excited to see this page because I own 2 of these clocks. The stamping off the movements is below, assuming these are models and serial numbers. Would you have an information on these clocks:
12E-1954 SN 594169
12EI-1976 SN 804265 (this has AY scratched after the SN)
Thank you in advance.
April 7, 2019 at 9:11 am
Hi! I have an awesome Chelsea US Maritime Commission clock with serial number 389913. It also has an access aperture about 1.5” on the back covered with a brass plate that says John Tod. Any information you can give me on the history of it? You guys make outstanding clocks by the way! Thank you in advance.