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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Marine clock

Chelsea Clock Co. "Commander" Marine Clock

Partially verified

This Chelsea Clock Co. "Commander" marine clock is source-dated to circa the 1920s and features a 10-inch dial. The clock is housed in a polished brass case set upon a stepped wooden base measuring 17 by 18 by 7 inches. Fontaine's Auction Gallery reports that it contains an eight-day, time-only spring-driven brass movement with direct train escapement, bearing serial number 178720 and signed on both the dial and movement. The dial displays black Roman numerals, open spade hands, a regulation index below 12 o'clock, and the inscription "CHELSEA CLOCK CO. BOSTON, U.S.A.".

Chelsea Clock Co. Commander marine clock with 10-inch dial and polished brass and wood mount
Chelsea Clock Co. Commander marine clock with 10-inch dial and polished brass and wood mount — Fontaine's Auction Gallery. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Clock · Marine clock
Maker / attribution
Chelsea Clock Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
15
Source-reported date
circa 1920's
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
178720

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 Presentation

This timepiece is catalogued as a Chelsea Clock Co. "Commander" marine clock with a 10-inch dial, mounted in a brass case with a wooden base. The overall assembly measures 17 by 18 by 7 inches. Visual observation records a heavy polished brass bezel and plinth set into a contoured wooden base.

The cataloguer notes that the exterior brass case has been "nicely polished." The stepped wooden mounting provides a display plinth beneath the circular drum case.

Evidence for this section
  • “Chelsea Clock Co. "Commander" Marine Clock with 10-Inch Dial”
  • “brass case with wooden base”
  • “17 x 18 x 7 inches”
  • “Heavy polished brass bezel and plinth set into a contoured wooden base”
  • “The case nicely polished”

Dial Configuration

The clock features a silvered dial with black Roman hour numerals encircled by an outer closed minute track, with open spade-form hour and minute hands centered around the arbor. A small circular regulation scale is located beneath the 12 o'clock numeral, and a single winding arbor aperture is situated above the 6 o'clock mark.

The dial is signed "CHELSEA CLOCK CO. BOSTON, U.S.A." above the 6 o'clock numeral. The auction condition report notes that the "dial has been re-silvered."

Evidence for this section
  • “Silvered dial with black Roman hour numerals and outer closed minute track”
  • “Open spade-form hour and minute hands centered around the arbor”
  • “Small circular regulation scale located beneath the 12 o'clock numeral”
  • “Single winding arbor aperture located above the 6 o'clock mark”
  • “Signed 'CHELSEA CLOCK CO. BOSTON, U.S.A.' above the 6 o'clock numeral”
  • “dial has been re-silvered”

Reported Movement and Provenance

The internal mechanism is not visible in the photograph. Fontaine's Auction Gallery describes the clock as housing a "brass 8-day time-only spring-driven movement with direct train escapement," signed on the movement and dial.

The movement is reported to carry serial number "178720" and is source-dated to circa the 1920s. Functional testing reported by the auctioneer was limited to a 15-minute test, and the clock is listed with provenance from a private collection in Roxbury, Connecticut.

Evidence for this section
  • “brass 8-day time-only spring-driven movement with direct train escapement”
  • “signed on the movement and dial”
  • “serial number "178720" on the movement”
  • “circa 1920's”
  • “functions properly (15-minute test)”
  • “Private Collection, Roxbury, Connecticut”

Open research questions

  • Does movement serial number 178720 correspond to Chelsea factory production records from the circa 1920s period?
  • Was the stepped wooden base a factory-supplied mounting for the 10-inch Commander model or a custom bracket added later?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Chelsea Clock Co. "Commander" Marine Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerChelsea Clock Co.“Chelsea Clock Co. "Commander" Marine Clock with 10-Inch Dial”
ModelCommander“"Commander" Marine Clock”
Serial Number178720“serial number "178720" on the movement”
Movement DescriptionBrass 8-day time-only spring-driven movement with direct train escapement“brass 8-day time-only spring-driven movement with direct train escapement”
Dimensions17 x 18 x 7 inches“17 x 18 x 7 inches”
Condition NoteDial re-silvered“dial has been re-silvered”
Reported ProvenancePrivate Collection, Roxbury, Connecticut“Private Collection, Roxbury, Connecticut”
Operational TestingFunctions properly (15-minute test)“functions properly (15-minute test)”

Visible details

  • Silvered dial with black Roman hour numerals and outer closed minute track
  • Open spade-form hour and minute hands centered around the arbor
  • Small circular regulation scale located beneath the 12 o'clock numeral
  • Signed 'CHELSEA CLOCK CO. BOSTON, U.S.A.' above the 6 o'clock numeral
  • Single winding arbor aperture located above the 6 o'clock mark
  • Heavy polished brass bezel and plinth set into a contoured wooden base

Research qualifications

  • Movement is housed within the case and not visible in the photograph
  • Source condition report notes the dial has been re-silvered

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: Chelsea Clock Co. "Commander" Marine Clock with 10-Inch Dial

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record bc8eae8154

Terms in this record

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