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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Ship's bell clock

Chelsea Clock Ship's Bell Clock 8 1/2 inch

Partially verified

This is a hand-assembled Ship's Bell clock manufactured by Chelsea Clock, featuring an 8 1/2-inch dial diameter. The timepiece is designed with the characteristic ship's bell striking mechanism, which indicates time through a specific sequence of strikes to mark four-hour maritime watches. The clock is housed in a solid forged brass case with a polished nickel finish and protective lacquer, featuring a hinged bezel. The dial is hand-silvered with printed Arabic numerals and dark-finished hands. It is mounted on a traditional solid mahogany base. The internal movement is identified as caliber 4L, an 11-jewel mechanical system composed of more than 360 individual parts, which drives both the timekeeping and the bell-striking functions. The clock dial includes three apertures for winding the respective springs. This item is presented as a new, factory-produced object.

Chelsea Clock Ship's Bell clock on a mahogany base with a nickel-plated finish.
Chelsea Clock Ship's Bell clock on a mahogany base with 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
Modern
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 Design

The clock is constructed from solid forged brass, finished with a polished nickel plating and a protective lacquered coating. It incorporates a hinged bezel, which allows for access to the dial. The overall design aesthetic follows the company's early models that date back to 1900.

The dial is hand-silvered, providing a matte metallic background for the black Arabic numerals. Dark hands provide visual contrast against the silver surface. The dial features three winding apertures designed for the clock's mechanical spring systems, and the signature 'CHELSEA SHIP'S BELL' is visible. The entire assembly is mounted on a solid mahogany base.

Evidence for this section
  • “بدنه ساعت از برنج فورج‌شده توپر با روکش نیکل براق و پوشش لاک محافظ (Lacquered) ساخته شده است و دارای طوقه لولادار (Hinged Bezel) می‌باشد.”
  • “صفحه ساعت به شیوه دستی نقره‌اندود (Hand-silvered) شده و دارای ارقام عربی چاپی مشهد و عقربه‌های تیره است.”
  • “این مجموعه روی یک پایه سنتی ساخته‌شده از چوب ماهون توپر (Solid Mahogany) قرار گرفته است.”

Movement and Functionality

The timepiece utilizes a mechanical movement designated as the 4L caliber. This movement is built with 11 jewels and consists of more than 360 precision-engineered parts. The movement is responsible for both the primary timekeeping function and the activation of the ship's bell striking mechanism.

The clock mimics the traditional maritime watch system, where bells strike to signal the end of four-hour watches at 4, 8, and 12 o'clock, as well as the intermediate half-hour marks. Winding is performed through three distinct apertures on the clock face, which tension the springs for time and the striking sequence.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت طبق منبع کالیبر 4L با ۱۱ سنگ قیمتی (11-jewel) بوده و از بیش از ۳۶۰ قطعه دقیق تشکیل شده است که مکانیسم زنگ کشتی را به صورت مکانیکی هدایت می‌کند.”
  • “زنگ‌های دریایی این ساعت گذر زمان را با نواختن ناقوس مشخص می‌کنند؛ به این صورت که در ساعت‌های ۴، ۸ و ۱۲ (پایان شیفت چهارساعته دریانوردی) هشت زنگ نواخته شده و در هر نیم‌ساعت نیز به تناسب زنگ‌های میانی به صدا درمی‌آیند.”

Manufacturing and Condition

The object is documented as a new, factory-produced clock. As a contemporary manufacture, it retains the design lineage of the company's historic maritime instruments. The source notes that the clock is assembled by hand.

Prospective owners are encouraged to inspect the mechanical operation of the bell system, the winding function, and the physical alignment of the clock to its mahogany base upon receipt.

Evidence for this section
  • “این ساعت به عنوان نمونه نو و تولید کارخانه عرضه شده است.”
  • “این ساعت مکانیکی رومیزی دست‌ساز ساخت کمپانی Chelsea Clock از سری نمادین Ship's Bell با قطر صفحه ۸ و نیم اینچ است.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific production date of this individual unit?
  • Does the serial number on the movement match the casing or base?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Chelsea Clock Ship's Bell Clock 8 1/2 inch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerChelsea Clock“سازنده: Chelsea Clock”
ModelShip's Bell Clock 8 1/2"“مدل: Ship's Bell Clock 8 1/2”
MovementCaliber 4L, 11-jewel mechanical“موتور ساعت طبق منبع کالیبر 4L با ۱۱ سنگ قیمتی (11-jewel) بوده”
Case constructionForged brass with nickel finish“بدنه ساعت از برنج فورج‌شده توپر با روکش نیکل براق و پوشش لاک محافظ (Lacquered) ساخته شده است”
Dial finishHand-silvered“صفحه ساعت به شیوه دستی نقره‌اندود (Hand-silvered) شده”
Base materialSolid mahogany“این مجموعه روی یک پایه سنتی ساخته‌شده از چوب ماهون توپر (Solid Mahogany) قرار گرفته است”
Striking mechanismShip's bell watch system“زنگ‌های دریایی این ساعت گذر زمان را با نواختن ناقوس مشخص می‌کنند”
Part countOver 360 parts“از بیش از ۳۶۰ قطعه دقیق تشکیل شده است”

Visible details

  • Hinged bezel visible on the side of the clock case
  • Three winding apertures located on the dial
  • Solid mahogany base with a traditional curved profile
  • Printed Arabic numerals on a silvered dial surface

Research qualifications

  • The exact year of manufacture is not provided in the source
  • The operational status of the mechanical movement has not been verified by an independent third party

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

Consulted source

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

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 12b0295d50

Terms in this record

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

Other ship's bell clock records