I want a Ship Clock — Chelsea or other?

[everydaycats]

I have been looking to buy a real vintage ships clock such as a Chelsea—or another brand, but thought I needed to check with the experts since my background is wristwatches.

I want to start with a clock that may need repairing so something with easier available parts would probably be best. I see several clocks on the auction site and prices seem expensive down to very inexpensive(that's for me), but again the availability of parts seems to be my main goal with my purchase.

Any help would be appreciated—especially what to stay away from.

Regards.

 

[Chris.K]

The movements for the clocks are basically large pocket watch movements so your background will serve you well. As far as parts for these clocks, they are scares, like the shock plate and others. I have a Seth Thomas 1941 Mark-1 deck clock that's in a 6'" Bakelite black case that I'm going to restore in the near future. I will have to mill the face stand-off posts to replace the missing shock-plate that pins into the movement. If you do get an old one be sure to varnish or lacquer the face as the "dots" are painted with radium and doing this will lock it to the face to help prevent you getting contaminated or ingesting Radium particles.

 

[Kevin W.]

I have read its not easy to find some Chelsea clock parts. I have three Chelseas, and i have a Smith English clock. Platform escapements with balance wheels are like watches. So requires those skills as well to repair them.I really like the older Chelsea clocks from the 1915 era, thick plates and really built well.

 

[everydaycats]

The movements for the clocks are basically large pocket watch movements so your background will serve you well. As far as parts for these clocks, they are scares, like the shock plate and others. I have a Seth Thomas 1941 Mark-1 deck clock that's in a 6'" Bakelite black case that I'm going to restore in the near future. I will have to mill the face stand-off posts to replace the missing shock-plate that pins into the movement. If you do get an old one be sure to varnish or lacquer the face as the "dots" are painted with radium and doing this will lock it to the face to help prevent you getting contaminated or ingesting Radium particles.

Thanks for the info. I know some like the 'hunt' for parts, but I am getting old and impatient so not so much anymore for me. I already buy too many junk watches so adding to that habit is not what I am after. I want to rebuilt a clock and not purchase an expensive ready-to-go clock so I may either give up on the idea or force myself into a hunting for parts situation.

I was ask recently to repair a wall clock for a friend of my lovely wife and from that experience I know I don't want to go in that direction. I know ship clocks as you mentioned are more like a pocket watch movement and that is for me.

Thanks for the help.

Regards

 

[Chris Radano]

I think Victorian English are the apex of this genre, but they are expensive. Chelsea are all nice as well. I am not an expert. I would suggest buying something in good condition that may only need a cleaning.
For a while I ran into some older English ship's clocks and this is one of my favorites. Like a pocket watch but 25 times more massive.

Here is a nice ship's clock for you.

I found this nice 8-inch dial ship's clock on this side of the Atlantic. The clock features a fusee movement with maintaining power. The total weight = 10 lbs. Date c. 1900.

mb.nawcc.org

Here is another one I found. Looking at my pics they are not too good:

Sewill. Glasgow. Chronometer Maker to the Royal Navy

So is stated on the brass dial of this late Victorian ship's clock. Gotta love the advertising :clap:. I'm a landlubber but I like a good fusee movement with maintaining power. Nice and heavy, too :thumb:. The beveled glass has a nice bubble, but also some gooey tape residue. Came with a really...

mb.nawcc.org

 

[everydaycats]

I think Victorian English are the apex of this genre, but they are expensive. Chelsea are all nice as well. I am not an expert. I would suggest buying something in good condition that may only need a cleaning.
For a while I ran into some older English ship's clocks and this is one of my favorites. Like a pocket watch but 25 times more massive.

Here is a nice ship's clock for you.

I found this nice 8-inch dial ship's clock on this side of the Atlantic. The clock features a fusee movement with maintaining power. The total weight = 10 lbs. Date c. 1900.

mb.nawcc.org

Here is another one I found. Looking at my pics they are not too good:

Sewill. Glasgow. Chronometer Maker to the Royal Navy

So is stated on the brass dial of this late Victorian ship's clock. Gotta love the advertising :clap:. I'm a landlubber but I like a good fusee movement with maintaining power. Nice and heavy, too :thumb:. The beveled glass has a nice bubble, but also some gooey tape residue. Came with a really...

mb.nawcc.org

Thanks, Chris. I agree with buying a clock that may only need a cleaning, not a restoration.
Regards

 

[S_Owsley]

I would stay away from the Seth Thomas ship's bell clocks. Their WWII vintage maritime clocks are well made and well priced though. If you want ship's bells, I'd go with Chelsea. Do it once and do it right.

 

[everydaycats]

Well, I found a clock:1941 SETH THOMAS US NAVY MARK 1 DECK CLOCK...and for a very reasonable price. Not many details until it arrives and then I'll know more and post pics. From the description the seller said it is all complete along with back plate. But the seller said he knew nothing about the movement other than it's there. I'm looking forward to the rebuild.
Regards

 

[Chris.K]

Maybe we can compare notes on the clocks as I have one also as my next rebuild project. As a Mark-1 it should be the 6" Bakelite housing.

 

[everydaycats]

Maybe we can compare notes on the clocks as I have one also as my next rebuild project. As a Mark-1 it should be the 6" Bakelite housing.

That would be interesting, Chris. We can both post pics and compare notes. I will post back here when it arrives. Should be in the coming few days.
Regards.

 

[TEACLOCKS]

Search "Ships clock"

Search terms: Ships clock

www.liveauctioneers.com

 

[everydaycats]

Google Books has a downloadable PDF for Seth Thomas and Chelsea U.S. Navy Deck clocks. Attached is the manual for the Seth Thomas clocks. Very informative with repair instructions. I thought I would post here, and possibly start a Seth Thomas U.S. Navy Clock post so others looking for the instruction manuals can easily locate it. Also, perhaps this can be added to the NAWCC Library:

 

[mxfrank]

I would avoid the earlier Seth Thomas clocks with the No 10 movement. All the ones I see these days have escapement issues, and I've yet to find a source for balance springs.