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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Ship's bell mantel clock

Chelsea Clock Co. 'Yacht Wheel' Ship's Bell Mantel Clock

Partially verified

This Chelsea Clock Co. 'Yacht Wheel' ship's bell mantel clock dates to circa 1970 according to the auction catalog. Produced in Boston, Massachusetts, the clock features a brass and bronze wheel-form case with a hinged front bezel door mounted on a flared mahogany pedestal base. Its silvered brass dial is fitted with blued spade hands, Arabic numerals, two winding apertures, a slow/fast regulation slot, and inscriptions reading 'N.Y. Nautical Instrument & Service Corp.' and 'Chelsea Ship's Bell'. Powering the clock is an eight-day, spring-driven brass movement with lever escapement and ship's bell strike mechanism.

Front view of the Chelsea Clock Co. Yacht Wheel mantel clock on stepped pedestal base
Front view of the Chelsea Clock Co. Yacht Wheel mantel clock on stepped pedestal base — Schmitt Horan & Co.. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bidsquare.com
Category
Clock · Ship's bell mantel clock
Maker / attribution
Chelsea Clock Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
318
Source-reported date
circa 1970
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
721744

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 Form and Construction

The clock is designed around a maritime steering wheel motif featuring eight turned metal spokes projecting from the central bezel ring, with a hinged front bezel door. The auction listing describes the case as brass and bronze, resting on a 'mahogany pedestal' and separately referencing a 'wood and bronze coated base'. Visual observation confirms the assembly is mounted on a stepped plinth combining flared metallic uprights with a wooden base.

Overall dimensions are listed as 11 inches high by 8 inches wide and 4.5 inches deep. The auction catalog records the case as stamped with number 769084, distinct from the movement serial number.

Evidence for this section
  • “Steering wheel motif case featuring eight turned metal spokes projecting from the central bezel ring”
  • “Mounted on a stepped base combining flared metallic uprights with a wooden plinth”
  • “brass and bronze case with a hinged door resting on a mahogany pedestal”
  • “wood and bronze coated base does have some tarnishing and blemishes”
  • “Dimensions: 11in x 8in x 4.5in”
  • “case stamped 769084”

Dial Features and Retail Inscriptions

The clock is fitted with a silvered brass dial displaying Arabic hour numerals, an outer railway minute track, and blued spade hands. Visual inspection shows a slow/fast regulation slot situated between the 9 and 10 o'clock numerals alongside dual winding apertures in the lower dial face.

The dial carries specialized retailer and maker lettering, inscribed 'N.Y. NAUTICAL INSTRUMENT & SERVICE CORP.' above the center arbor and 'CHELSEA SHIP'S BELL' below. The catalog claims the dial and hands are original, noting minor surface knicks and scratches.

Evidence for this section
  • “Silvered dial displays Arabic hour numerals, outer railway minute track, blued spade hands, and a regulation slot between 9 and 10 o'clock”
  • “Dial inscribed with 'N.Y. NAUTICAL INSTRUMENT & SERVICE CORP.' above center and 'CHELSEA SHIP'S BELL' below center”
  • “silvered brass dial inscribed with "NY Nautical Instrument Service Corp" with blued spade hands”
  • “original dial has a couple knicks and scratches but otherwise in nice condition, original hands”

Movement and Source Condition Notes

According to the auction catalog, the clock is powered by an eight-day, spring-driven brass movement with lever escapement and ship's bell strike mechanism, recorded under serial number 721744. The lot entry dates the piece to circa 1970.

Regarding operational status at cataloguing, the source notes that the movement strikes but was not ticking. Cosmetic condition notes from the source report that the brass case has a spotty appearance with lacquer degradation, and the base displays tarnishing and blemishes. Rear case views and the interior movement are not depicted in the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “eight day, time and ship's bell strike, spring driven brass movement with lever escapement, serial #721744, case stamped 769084”
  • “movement is currently not ticking, but does strike, circa 1970”
  • “brass case has spotty appearance and some degradation of the lacquer finish”
  • “wood and bronze coated base does have some tarnishing and blemishes”

Open research questions

  • What explains the discrepancy between movement serial number 721744 and case stamped number 769084 in Chelsea Clock Co. production records?
  • What specific mechanical condition prevents the time train from ticking while the strike train operates?
  • What records exist regarding Chelsea Clock Co. supplying custom-inscribed dials for N.Y. Nautical Instrument & Service Corp. around circa 1970?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Chelsea Clock Co. 'Yacht Wheel' Ship's Bell Mantel Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker and originChelsea Clock Co., Boston, Mass.“Chelsea Clock Co., Boston, Mass.”
ModelYacht Wheel ship's bell mantel clock“"Yacht Wheel" ship's bell mantel clock”
Movement serial number721744“serial #721744”
Case stamped number769084“case stamped 769084”
Dial inscriptionNY Nautical Instrument Service Corp“silvered brass dial inscribed with "NY Nautical Instrument Service Corp"”
Movement typeEight day, time and ship's bell strike, spring driven brass movement with lever escapement“eight day, time and ship's bell strike, spring driven brass movement with lever escapement”
Dimensions11in x 8in x 4.5in“Dimensions: 11in x 8in x 4.5in”
Approximate datecirca 1970“circa 1970”

Visible details

  • Steering wheel motif case featuring eight turned metal spokes projecting from the central bezel ring
  • Silvered dial displays Arabic hour numerals, outer railway minute track, blued spade hands, and a regulation slot between 9 and 10 o'clock
  • Mounted on a stepped base combining flared metallic uprights with a wooden plinth
  • Dial inscribed with 'N.Y. NAUTICAL INSTRUMENT & SERVICE CORP.' above center and 'CHELSEA SHIP'S BELL' below center

Research qualifications

  • Source notes the brass case exhibits a spotty appearance with lacquer degradation, the base has blemishes and tarnishing, and the movement strikes but was not ticking at cataloguing
  • Rear case and interior movement views are not shown

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

Consulted source

Chelsea Clock Co. Yacht Wheel mantel clock sold at auction on 20th January | Bidsquare

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record bf75b1f164

Terms in this record

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

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