1880 — 1900
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.
1900 — 1910
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.
1910 — 1920
Chelsea Clock continues to receive orders from U.S. Gevernment 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).
1920 — 1930
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.
1930 — 1940
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.
1940 — 1950
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.
1950 — 1960
The Chelsea brand was well established in post war American culture, often viewed as the quintessential award or gift of distinction for celebrities ranging from athletes to actors and politicians.
1960 — 1970
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.
1970 — 1980
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.
1980 — 1990
Competitions for quartz technology increases, and Chelsea introduces dozens of new designs to retain a leading position in the market. Leavitt requests intervention from US Customs and Massachusetts Attorney General's office to halt counterfeit production of Chelsea Clocks in Taiwan.
1990 — 2000
The introduction of limited edition clocks was successful after the 1980's economic recessions and Leavitt expanded on the theme.
2000 — 2010
After leading Chelsea for more than 25 years, Leavitt steps down and sells the company to JK Nicholas, a business consultant, entrepeneur, and longtime collector of Chelsea Clocks. A new executive team is established.
NOTABLE CLOCKS

Boston Clock Company, Ship’s Bell Clock, circa 1893.

Second marine clock sold by Chelsea Clock Company, serial number 204, September 13, 1897.

Chelsea Regulator #5 in Mahogany, 1904.
Considered the finest regulator commercially sold by Chelsea. Discontinued in 1921, the only known model of this kind to exist today.

Rare Gothic Boudoir Clock with porcelain dial – fire damaged; produced from 1906-1926.
Style inspired by 13th Century Gothic period, originally made in mahogany as well as cast cases of brass and bonze with a variety of finishes.

Oldest known Chelsea Yacht Wheel Clock, circa 1905.

One of the earliest 12″ Ship’s Bell Clocks, circa 1906.

Derry #1 Weight Driven Banjo clock – 1908.
One of only two Derry clocks known to exist, made by Joseph Eastman’s, an early Chelsea founder and watchmaker.

A young man during his shift at the US Naval Observatory, circa 1910.
Chelsea Clock shown on the wall. The USNO serves as the official source of time for the U.S. Department of Defense and a standard of time for the entire United States.

The Chelsea Regulator #3, a pendulum clock featured in the 1911 catalog for $22, now valued at $6000.
Popular with the U.S. Treasury Department.

Chelsea Carved Yacht Wheel- circa 1914.
Carved mahogany demonstrates expert tooling that was followed with an ebonized finish. The clock weighs an impressive 54 pounds and is estimated to be valued at $25,000 or more.

One of two known 12″ Automatic Ship’s Bell Outfits, circa 1920.
The external bell is operated automatically by the ship’s bell clock.

One of two known 12″ Yacht Wheel Clocks, circa 1927, the last of the grand large dial clocks.

Tiffany & Co. Clock with Chelsea House strike Movement- sold to Tiffany & Co. in 1928, this clock houses a Chelsea Model M Housestrike movement.
Intricate case design and bronze castings by the jeweler feature drapes, oak leaves and fleurs de lis. Clock is valued at approximately $9500.

WWII Era US Navy Phenolic Deck Clock- one of thousands produced for the government using Bakelite (a durable plastic/resin like material) instead of brass due to wartime material shortages.

Chelsea Clock VP Bill Hilliard shown presenting a 24 Hour Phenolic Chelsea Clock to the USS Constitution, “Old Ironsides” in the early 1970s.
NOTABLE OWNERS

1940s: President Harry S. Truman and General Dwight D. Eisenhower stand before an 8 ½” Chelsea Clock.

1945: President Harry Truman and a member of his cabinet are sworn in.
A Chelsea Clock rests behind them on the mantel.

1950: Margaret Truman pictured in the June 26th, 1950 issue of the New York Herald tribune, holding her Chelsea Vanderbilt.

1950’s: President Eisenhower and Vice President Nixon shown in the oval office seated in front of a Chelsea Claremont Clock.

1952: President Truman and Prime Minister Churchill on board the U. S. S. Williamsburg in 1952.
A Chelsea Tambour clock rests on the mantel.

1956: Chelsea Senator Andrew P. Quigley, shown presenting an Admiral Chelsea Clock to General Douglas MacArthur and his wife Jean.
General MacArthur made a stop in Chelsea as he was touring the country in preparation for his bid to run for President against Eisenhower in 1956.

Early 1960s: Kennedy administration cabinet meeting with a “Claremont” on the shelves to the left.

1960s: Bob Hope shown accepting a Chelsea Clock and Barometer award for his humanitarian efforts.

1969: President Johnson watches an Apollo spaceflight from the White House, with his U.S. Navy Chelsea Pilot House Clock resting on his television.

Mid 1970’s: President Gerald Ford in front of the camera at the White House, preparing for broadcast on NBC.
A Chelsea Clock and barometer set rest on the mantel.

1974: President Nixon and Communist Party Leader Leonid Breshnev at their first official summit meeting in Moscow.
A Mariner Chelsea rests on the table, a gift from Nixon.

1978: “An Extravagant Life” by Frank Brady – biography of Aristotle Onassis.
Book cover shows Onassis with his Chelsea Clock and Barometer.

1980’s: Reagan administration cabinet meeting with a matching Chelsea Clock and Barometer set on the mantel.

2008: George H.W. Bush holding a Chelsea Dartmouth.

2009: Governor Patrick of Massachusetts and former Governor Mitt Romney shown at the State House with two Chelsea Clocks on the mantel.
SHIP'S BELL STORY
Ship’s Bell Story
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 cannot 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 |