THE CHELSEA TIMELINE

Chelsea's initial roots were unsteady, with its name changing from "Harvard" to "Boston" then "Eastman" Clock before finally settling as the Chelsea Clock Company. Despite the rocky start, groundwork for the finest in American clock making was firmly established via innovation from the country's earliest clock craftsmen.

Chelsea brand begins to gain recognition in the market as innovative clock designs are patented and introduced, relationships with distributors are formed and markeding via print advertisments and catalogs emerge. By 1905 Chelsea had established distribution in every major American city.

Chelsea Clock continues to receive orders from U.S. Government Agencies for marine clocks in increasing quantities - as a result Boston Clock was formed (a separate brand for clocks the company manufactured to meet government standards).

As the country enjoyed a period of growth and prosperity, consumers continue to buy clocks as household necessities. By 1929 competition for clock manufacturing was aggressive - an estimated 56 companies engaged in the manufacturing of clocks and clock movements, an increase of 50% compared to prior decade.

Drastic inventory and cost reductions were made in the face of dire economic conditions resulting from the Great Depression, which enabled Chelsea to remain viable while many competitors were forced into bankruptcy.

During Wold War II Chelsea lives up to its reputation as "Timekeeper of the Sea", producing more in four years than entire production since 1897. At this time Chelsea was singularly focused on furnishing thousands of clocks to the armed forces for use aboard Liberty ships, Submarines, Destroyers, Cruisers, Battleships and Aircraft Carriers.

Ad placed by Shaefer Brewing using a Chelsea to make a statement.

At one time Chelsea competed with dozens of clockmakers, including Waltham and Seth Thomas of New England. Soon assembly line methods undercut demand for precision timepieces, and the market was further weakened by the introduction of electric clocks, quartz technology and foreign imports. By the late 1960's Chelsea stood as America's only maker of precision spring-driven clocks.

Chelsea Clock undergoes a peiod of change as ownership of the company transitions from Mutz and King to Automation Industries, to Bunker Ramo Corporation and finally is sold to Rick Leavitt, a native Bostonian who ultimately runs the company for 27 years.