Chelsea Clock Company, Boston, MA. A Radio Room model featuring the Government's four designated three-minute "silent periods" for voice and radio transmissions, the green and black sectors, and a Greenwich Mean Time (Zulu) hand. 224051.
This Chelsea Type B Model 12E Deck/Engine Room Clock is a wall-mounted timepiece. It was a crucial part of the U.S. military's operations. The Chelsea Clock Company met the U.S. Government's specifications, and these clocks were used by the U. S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Chelsea created this Radio room version around the time of World War II.
The Chelsea Clock Co. in Boston, Massachusetts, made exceptional clocks. This model was created for use by the U.S. Government. The phenolic or resin case is black in color. It features a rear mounting flange and a hinged bezel. The bezel is fitted with glass and is secured to the case with a large screw that puts pressure against a rubber gasket. This case is somewhat watertight. The four-color dial measures nearly 5.5 inches in diameter. The base color is silver and is decorated with black graphics and highlighted areas in red and green. The two red sectors indicate periods when radio silence for Morse Code transmissions is observed, as they monitor the airwaves for distress signals. The green sectors indicate the period of time when voice transmissions are silenced. The red bars around the perimeter of the dial are for timing the official ITC alarm signal. In addition to the black hour, minute, and second hands, a white "Zulu" hour hand is used for setting the time to another time zone. The 12/24 hour time ring and Maker's name are painted in black. All of the numerals are displayed in Arabic format.
The movement is of excellent quality and features Chelsea's improved "micrometer" worm gear regulator just inside the 2:30 position.
For additional information about the Chelsea Clock Company, please review Andy Demeter's book Chelsea Clock Company / The First Hundred Years. You are also encouraged to visit Jim Dyson's website, Chelsea Clock Museum.
This clock is not just a piece of history; it's a fully functional and reliable timepiece. It is sold fully serviced and in excellent working order. The movement has been meticulously disassembled, cleaned, and rebuilt, addressing any areas of wear. The movement is then carefully lubricated and tested to ensure its performance, providing you with a clock that is as good as new.
Inventory number 224051.
The Chelsea Clock Company Board of Directors met for the first time on July 28, 1897. The Board consisted of Whipple N. Potter, Jr., President, Charles H. Pearson, Treasurer, Reginald Foster, Clerk and Secretary. Allen L. Shepherd served on the Board with the elected officers. This first group of individuals was not together long. The Chelsea firm persevered and has enjoyed a long run of success as a result of making clocks of superior manufacture. This company made many clocks. Some of which were in the style of the Willard timepiece or banjo clock, the E. Howard Model No., 70 and more famously, marine clocks. This company remains in business today.
