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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Ship's & marine clock

Kriegsmarine eight-day ship's wardroom clock

Partially verified

This is a German Kriegsmarine eight-day ship's wardroom clock catalogued to circa 1940. It features a silvered dial with Arabic numerals, a subsidiary dial below the 12 o'clock position, and is reported to bear a Kriegsmarine emblem. The circular movement is front-wound via a single aperture positioned above 6 o'clock. The dial is set within an octagonal wooden case measuring 28 cm in overall diameter with a 7.5-inch dial, fitted with a removable rear access panel that the source states bears stamped 'Wilhelmshaven' markings. The piece originates from the John Mitchell Collection of Military Horology.

Front view of the Kriegsmarine octagonal wooden wardroom clock
Front view of the Kriegsmarine octagonal wooden wardroom clock — Sworders. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
timed.sworder.co.uk
Category
Clock · Ship's & marine clock
Form
Ship's wardroom clock
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
34
Source-reported date
circa 1940
Source-reported place
Germany

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 Documentation

The item is catalogued by the auctioneer as a Kriegsmarine eight-day ship's wardroom clock, dated approximately to circa 1940. It is recorded as part of the John Mitchell Collection of Military Horology. The auction record does not identify a specific maker, movement caliber, or reference number.

The clock is documented with an overall diameter of 28 cm and a 7.5-inch dial. While military marine clocks are commonly housed in metal bulkhead casings, this example is catalogued as mounted in an octagonal wooden case.

Evidence for this section
  • “A Kriegsmarine eight-day ship's wardroom clock, circa 1940,”
  • “Provenance: The John Mitchell Collection of Military Horology”
  • “dial, 7.5in, 28cm diameter overall”

Dial and Visual Configuration

Direct visual inspection shows an octagonal wooden case enclosing a circular silvered dial. The dial features standard Arabic hour numerals, baton hands, and a small subsidiary dial positioned directly below the 12 o'clock mark. A single winding aperture is located centrally above the 6 o'clock position.

The cataloguer notes that the dial is marked with a Kriegsmarine emblem. On visual inspection of the face, a faint insignia or marking is discernable on the left side between the 9 and 10 o'clock positions. The auctioneer's condition report records 'A few marks on the dial.'

Evidence for this section
  • “Octagonal wooden case framing a circular silvered dial.”
  • “Dial features Arabic numerals, baton hands, and a small subsidiary dial below 12 o'clock.”
  • “Single winding aperture situated centrally above the 6 o'clock position.”
  • “with a silvered dial marked with Kriegsmarine emblem”
  • “Faint insignia or marking visible to the left side of the dial between 9 and 10 o'clock.”
  • “A few marks on the dial.”

Case Construction and Source-Reported Markings

The dial is set into an octagonal wooden surround, described in the condition report with 'Case fair.' The listing documents a removable rear access panel on the case reverse.

The cataloguing notes stamped 'Wilhelmshaven' marks on the back panel. As the provided documentation photo illustrates only the front of the clock, the presence, wording, and layout of these rear markings are unverified by direct observation and remain source-reported.

Evidence for this section
  • “mounted in an octagonal wooden case with removable rear access panel”
  • “stamped 'Wilhelmshaven' marks to the back panel”
  • “Case fair.”

Open research questions

  • What specific manufacturer, caliber, or serial numbers are stamped on the internal movement plates?
  • What are the precise format and surrounding acceptance or eagle stamps accompanying the reported 'Wilhelmshaven' marking on the rear panel?
  • Does the subsidiary dial below 12 o'clock operate as a running seconds register or a regulation/winding indicator?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Kriegsmarine eight-day ship's wardroom clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
TypeKriegsmarine eight-day ship's wardroom clock“A Kriegsmarine eight-day ship's wardroom clock, circa 1940”
DialSilvered dial with Kriegsmarine emblem“with a silvered dial marked with Kriegsmarine emblem”
CaseOctagonal wooden case with removable rear panel“mounted in an octagonal wooden case with removable rear access panel”
Rear MarkingsStamped Wilhelmshaven marks“stamped 'Wilhelmshaven' marks to the back panel”
DimensionsDial 7.5 in, 28 cm diameter overall“dial, 7.5in, 28cm diameter overall”
ProvenanceThe John Mitchell Collection of Military Horology“The John Mitchell Collection of Military Horology”
Reported Dial ConditionA few marks on the dial“A few marks on the dial.”
Reported Case ConditionCase fair“Case fair.”

Visible details

  • Octagonal wooden case framing a circular silvered dial.
  • Dial features Arabic numerals, baton hands, and a small subsidiary dial below 12 o'clock.
  • Single winding aperture situated centrally above the 6 o'clock position.
  • Faint insignia or marking visible to the left side of the dial between 9 and 10 o'clock.

Research qualifications

  • Maker is not identified in the auction record.
  • Removable back panel and stamped 'Wilhelmshaven' markings are source-reported and not visible in the front photograph.

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

Consulted source

A Kriegsmarine eight-day ship's wardroom clock, circa 1940,

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 6a60a7b5fb

Terms in this record

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

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