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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock type · Portable

Ship's Clocks and Deck Timepieces

Partially verified

Robust clocks for use at sea, distinct from the boxed marine chronometer.

Movement & mechanism

  • Spring-driven movements with platform lever escapements in many examples
  • Heavy bulkhead-mounting cases resistant to damp and vibration
  • Ship's bell striking in many naval and merchant clocks

Identification

  • Heavy bulkhead case with a screwed bezel
  • Ship's bell striking rather than hour striking
  • Corrosion and dial damage from salt air are common

Terminology

  • Bulkhead clock
  • Ship's bell strike
  • Platform escapement

Known variations

  • Ship's bell, time-only and radio-room versions

Collecting notes

Originality decides value and interest: check that movement, dial and case belong together, and prefer honest wear over refinishing. Movement work belongs with a clockmaker; cleaning a dial or case yourself commonly destroys the evidence that dates the clock.

Related photographs

Marine chronometer, Stockholm, 1845, TM44861 - Tekniska museet - Stockholm, Sweden - DSC01400
Marine chronometer, Stockholm, 1845, TM44861 - Tekniska museet - Stockholm, Sweden - DSC01400 — Daderot, CC0. Wikimedia Commons file page

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., reference works on British clockmakers (edition-dependent)
  3. Museum catalogue descriptions of comparable examples

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