Chelsea Special 8.5-inch dial Ship's Bell Admiral Shelf Clock in a polished yellow brass case. 226058.
This Chelsea-made Ship's Clock model is cataloged as the "Admiral." This model was first introduced in the Chelsea catalogs in 1917. It was offered in brass or bronze cases of several sizes to accommodate dials from 4.5 to 12 inches in diameter.
This handsome 8.5-inch-dial example features a heavy forged yellow brass case. Its polished surfaces glow warmly when light reflects off its many angles. The clock is mounted on a matching base. The dial bezel is hinged, secured with a push-button latch, and opens to the right to allow access to the dial.
The clock dial measures 8.5 inches in diameter. The option of raised numerals, known as a special dial, was available for an extra charge. The raised Arabic numerals on this example are brass. The segmented minute ring is painted. Decorative serpentine-style brass hands show the time. This dial is signed by the retailer, “Bailey, Banks, & Biddle Co. / Philadelphia.” The dial also reads “SHIP'S BELL.”
The movement is of excellent quality. It is spring wound, designed to run for eight days, and strikes on the hour and half hour in a nautical time sequence. At 12:30, the clock strikes once. At 1:00, it strikes twice, adding one strike at each half-hour interval until 4:00, when it strikes eight times. At 8:30, the sequence repeats. The escapement features a balance wheel, allowing the clock to run in unstable environments and continue operating while being moved. The movement's plates are circular, and the back plate is die-stamped with company information.
It was made circa 1913 as indicated by the serial number, 96948, die-stamped into the front plate, and originally sold for $105.
This model is part of a long line of Admiral clocks produced by Chelsea. This 8.5-inch Admiral Clock has a rich history and legacy. The model was retired in 1985.
Inventory number 226058.
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.
