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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Ship's bell clock

Chelsea Clock 8 1/2-inch Ship's Bell Clock in Nickel

Partially verified

This hand-made 8 1/2-inch Ship's Bell clock by Chelsea Clock features a circular case with a nickel finish and mirror-like polish. The hand-silvered dial is marked with black Arabic numerals and contains two winding holes along with a Fast/Slow (F/S) regulation lever positioned above the center. The hands are blue-tinted. The dial bears the inscription "CHELSEA SHIP'S BELL" and the mark "U.S.A." below the numeral six. The clock is powered by a mechanical 4L caliber movement containing 11 jewels and over 360 individual components. The integrated striking mechanism is programmed to replicate traditional maritime watch patterns, sounding bells to mark four-hour shifts, including one strike at the first half-hour and increasing strikes at subsequent half-hour intervals. The clock is manufactured by the Chelsea Clock workshop in the United States and is currently produced as a hand-made item.

Front view of the 8 1/2-inch Chelsea Ship's Bell clock in a nickel-plated finish.
Front view of the 8 1/2-inch Chelsea Ship's Bell clock in a nickel-plated finish. — Zamanito. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Clock · Ship's bell clock
Maker / attribution
Chelsea Clock
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Not established
Source-reported place
United States

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Construction

The clock is housed in a circular nickel-plated case, treated to produce a reflective, mirror-like finish. The exterior design follows the aesthetic profile of traditional maritime timepieces produced by the maker.

The dial is finished using a hand-silvering process. It features bold, black Arabic numerals for high legibility. Located near the center are the hour and minute hands, which are tinted a deep blue. The dial includes two winding apertures positioned at the lower half, with a regulation lever (marked F/S) mounted directly above the center point. Inscriptions on the dial include the brand name and model, "CHELSEA SHIP'S BELL," and the country of origin, "U.S.A.," situated below the numeral six.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب مدور ساعت از روکش نیکل با درخشندگی آینه‌ای بهره می‌برد”
  • “صفحه این مدل با تکنیک نقره‌اندود دستی (hand-silvered) پرداخت شده”
  • “بخش پایینی صفحه نشان CHELSEA SHIP'S BELL و در حاشیه زیر عدد شش، عبارت U.S.A درج گردیده است”

Movement and Striking Mechanism

The timepiece operates on a mechanical 4L caliber movement. This internal structure comprises more than 360 individual precision-engineered components and incorporates 11 jewel bearings to reduce friction.

A specialized maritime striking mechanism is integrated into the movement. This system sounds a bell to signal the completion of four-hour maritime watches. The pattern executes one strike at the half-hour, with an additional strike added every subsequent half-hour, reaching eight strikes at the four, eight, and twelve o'clock positions, aligning with traditional nautical watch-keeping requirements.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور مکانیکی اختصاصی کالیبر 4L مجهز به ۱۱ سنگ جواهری (11-jewel) بهره می‌برد”
  • “شامل بیش از ۳۶۰ قطعه مهندسی دقیق است”
  • “نواختن زنگ‌ها پایان کشیک‌های چهارساعته ملوانان را اعلام می‌کند”

Production and Heritage

The manufacturing of the clock is attributed to Chelsea Clock, a firm with a documented history in maritime clockmaking dating back to its first recorded ship's bell model in 1900. The units are produced by hand.

According to the documentation, this model represents the larger version of the series, distinct from smaller 4.5 and 6-inch variants.

Evidence for this section
  • “سنت ساخت ساعت‌های زنگ دریایی این برند به نخستین نمونه ثبت‌شده در سال ۱۹۰۰ میلادی بازمی‌گردد”
  • “این ساعت به شکل دست‌ساز تولید شده”
  • “تطبیق قطر صفحه (۸.۵ اینچ در این نسخه در مقایسه با نسخه‌های ۴.۵ و ۶ اینچی)”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific production period of this individual unit?
  • Does the current movement include modern modifications not present in early 20th-century 4L calibers?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Chelsea Clock 8 1/2-inch Ship's Bell Clock in Nickel
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerChelsea Clock“ساخت کارگاه مشهور Chelsea Clock”
Movement4L caliber, 11-jewel“موتور مکانیکی اختصاصی کالیبر 4L مجهز به ۱۱ سنگ جواهری (11-jewel)”
Dial FinishHand-silvered“تکنیک نقره‌اندود دستی (hand-silvered)”
Dial Diameter8 1/2 inches“قطر ۸ و نیم اینچ”
ConstructionOver 360 parts“شامل بیش از ۳۶۰ قطعه مهندسی دقیق است”
OriginUnited States“ساز توسط شرکت تاریخی Chelsea Clock در آمریکا”

Visible details

  • Nickel-plated case with reflective finish
  • Silvered dial with black Arabic numerals
  • Two winding holes at the lower dial
  • Regulation lever at the top center of the dial

Research qualifications

  • Production date is not specified in the source
  • Current operating status and functionality are not independently verified

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

8 1/2" Ship's Bell Clock in Nickel

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 624054d64d

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other ship's bell clock records