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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock type · Specialist

Deck Clocks / Bulkhead Clocks

Partially verified

Rugged, wall-mounted clocks used in the cabins and engine rooms of ships.

Movement & mechanism

  • High-grade lever movements, often time-only
  • Housed in heavy, water-resistant brass cases
  • Frequently feature a seconds hand for accurate timing

Identification

  • Screw-down or hinged brass bezel
  • Black or white dial with bold numerals
  • No striking mechanism (usually)

Terminology

  • Bulkhead clock
  • Station clock
  • Marine timepiece

Known variations

  • Engine room and navigation room variants

Collecting notes

Condition and originality are paramount. For technical clocks like regulators or atmospheric clocks, the completeness of the original mechanism is more important than case condition. For decorative clocks (Boulle, Empire), the quality of the case craft is central.

Related photographs

Collection of Four Ships Bell Clocks, One Matching ...
Collection of Four Ships Bell Clocks, One Matching ... — Invaluable auction archive, Auction archive photograph, rights review pending. Invaluable sold-lot record
At Auction: CHELSEA COPPER SHIPS BELL CLOCK - Invaluable.com
At Auction: CHELSEA COPPER SHIPS BELL CLOCK - Invaluable.com — Invaluable auction archive, Auction archive photograph, rights review pending. Invaluable sold-lot record

No confidently matched photograph of this subject has been found yet. These photographs show a closely related record, and are not examples of the type described on this page.

Sources & references

  1. Britten, F. J., Old Clocks and Watches and Their Makers
  2. Loomes, B., The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain
  3. Roberts, D., British Skeleton Clocks
  4. Museum catalogue records

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.