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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Nautical wall clock

Chelsea Clock Company wall clock

Partially verified

This Chelsea Clock Company nautical wall clock features a black dial marked with white 12-hour numerals, inner 13-to-24-hour military numerals, an outer minute track, and a red central seconds hand. Below the 12 o'clock position, the dial is signed 'CHELSEA CLOCK CO. BOSTON'. A fast/slow regulator slot is situated to the right of the arbor, and a winding aperture is visible above the 6 o'clock position. Described by the source as having a Bakelite or hard plastic case with a side hinge and screw latch, the clock is mounted onto a circular wood backboard measuring 7 ½ inches in diameter.

Front view of Chelsea Clock Company nautical clock on circular wood mount
Front view of Chelsea Clock Company nautical clock on circular wood mount — White's Auctions. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Clock · Nautical wall clock
Maker / attribution
Chelsea Clock Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
179
Source-reported date
Not established
Country
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

Object Identity and Format

Offered as Lot 179 by White's Auctions under the title "CHELSEA CLOCK COMPANY WALL CLOCK:", the piece is described in the catalogue overview as a "Nautical clock." It is configured for wall mounting and presented installed on a wooden plaque.

The cataloguer notes that the "diameter is 7 ½ inches", though the entry does not specify whether this dimension refers to the diameter of the circular wooden plaque or the clock bezel itself.

Evidence for this section
  • “Lot 179 : CHELSEA CLOCK COMPANY WALL CLOCK:”
  • “Nautical clock.”
  • “diameter is 7 ½ inches”

Dial Configuration and Controls

Visual observation shows a black dial marked 'CHELSEA CLOCK CO. BOSTON' beneath the 12 o'clock position. The dial features white outer 12-hour numerals with '00' below 12, an inner 13–23 military numeral track, and an outer minute track, indicated by black spade-pattern hour and minute hands and a red central seconds hand.

The dial displays functional openings including a winding arbor aperture visible above the 6 o'clock position and a regulator slot marked 'F' and 'S' positioned to the right of the center arbor.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial marked 'CHELSEA CLOCK CO. BOSTON' beneath the 12 position”
  • “Black dial displaying outer 12-hour numerals with '00' under 12, inner 13–23 military numerals, and an outer minute track”
  • “Regulator slot marked 'F' and 'S' positioned to the right of the center arbor”
  • “Winding arbor aperture visible above the 6 o'clock position”

Case Construction and Mounting

The case is catalogued as a "Bakelite, or hard plastic case" and is "mounted on wood board". Observations show a dark circular bezel assembly fitted with a prominent hinge on the right side and a knurled screw latch on the left side.

The clock is mounted to a circular natural wood plaque framing the perimeter of the bezel.

Evidence for this section
  • “Bakelite, or hard plastic case”
  • “mounted on wood board”
  • “Dark circular bezel with prominent right-side hinge and left-side knurled screw latch”
  • “Mounted to a circular natural wood plaque”

Documentation and Recording Limitations

The auction catalogue does not record movement photographs, caliber markings, serial numbers, military contract stampings, or a specific date of production. These internal and historical details cannot be verified from the listing.

The case material is recorded as "Bakelite, or hard plastic case" without formal material analysis, leaving the exact synthetic polymer composition unconfirmed in the source documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “Bakelite, or hard plastic case”

Open research questions

  • Does the movement or the back of the case bear a Chelsea serial number establishing the precise year of manufacture?
  • Does the 7 ½ inch measurement apply to the outer wooden board or to the clock's bezel diameter?
  • Are any military contract or government ordnance marks stamped on the movement or case?
  • Is the case material molded phenolic resin (Bakelite) or an alternative polymer?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Chelsea Clock Company wall clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Lot Number179“Lot 179 : CHELSEA CLOCK COMPANY WALL CLOCK:”
Case MaterialBakelite or hard plastic“Bakelite, or hard plastic case”
MountingWood board“mounted on wood board”
Diameter7 ½ inches“diameter is 7 ½ inches”
Object TypeNautical clock“Nautical clock.”
Condition AssessmentGood condition (source-reported)“Good condition.”

Visible details

  • Black dial displaying outer 12-hour numerals with '00' under 12, inner 13–23 military numerals, and an outer minute track
  • Dial marked 'CHELSEA CLOCK CO. BOSTON' beneath the 12 position
  • Features a red central seconds hand and black spade-pattern hour and minute hands
  • Regulator slot marked 'F' and 'S' positioned to the right of the center arbor
  • Winding arbor aperture visible above the 6 o'clock position
  • Dark circular bezel with prominent right-side hinge and left-side knurled screw latch
  • Mounted to a circular natural wood plaque

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement details, serial number, and rear casing are not depicted or documented
  • Case material is catalogued by the source as 'Bakelite, or hard plastic' without lab verification

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: CHELSEA CLOCK COMPANY WALL CLOCK:

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record d773dfc5dc

Terms in this record

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