Seth Thomas Marine Lever clock for the U.S. Navy. This is the Lever No. 18. 218066.
This case is made of molded bakelite and is finished in black. The back flange is pierced in three locations to be mounted directly to the wall. The front of the case or the bezel is hinged on the left. A screw is mounted on the right and secures the case closed. A seal inside the bezel closes against the case, making the closure moisture and dust-proof. The 8-inch diameter dial is finished in black. The numerals, time rings, and other information are engraved into the front surface and filled with white paint. The contrast in colors is excellent. This dial displays time in a military format. It features an hour, minute, and sweep-second-hand display.
This Seth Thomas-made timepiece is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. The movement bears their die stamp on the front plate. It is powered by a single coil spring and regulated by a balance wheel escapement. The escapement is a non-magnetic Breguet type having a compensated escapement. As a result, it will run in a hostile environment in terms of possible vibrations to the case. The movement features robust construction and features 11 jewels. The timing adjustment can be made with the roller lever located on the front of the dial above the “SETH THOMAS” name.
The case measures approximately 10.5 inches in diameter and is 3.75 inches deep. Please note the wonderful shaping of this hinged bezel. The bezel is fitted with glass to protect the 8-inch diameter dial. This clock was made circa 1940 and serviced the U.S. Navy. In 1939, Seth Thomas sold this model for $75. This was an expensive clock in its day.
Clocks like this make wonderful gifts. Because of the all-weather case construction, one can display clocks like this one in bathrooms, outside by the pool, on the pontoon boat, motor home, camper, or even on the wall of your tiki-hut bar. What a great conversation piece.
Inventory number 218066.
Seth Thomas was born in Wolcott, Connecticut, in 1785. He was apprenticed as a carpenter and joiner and worked building houses and barns. He started in the clock business in 1807, working for clockmaker Eli Terry. Thomas formed a clock-making partnership in Plymouth, Connecticut, with Eli Terry and Silas Hoadley as Terry, Thomas & Hoadley. In 1810, he bought Terry's clock business, making tall clocks with wooden movements. Seth chose to sell his shares in the partnership in 1812, moving in 1813 to Plymouth Hollow, Connecticut, where he set up a factory to make metal-movement clocks. In 1817, he added shelf and mantel clocks. By the mid-1840s, He successfully transitioned to brass movements and expanded his operations by building a brass rolling mill and a cotton factory. In 1853, He incorporated the business but continued to be the majority shareholder. This clock business expanded until it became one of the "BIG Seven" in Connecticut. Their product line had offerings that competed at every price point, from kitchen clocks to precision regulators. Seth Thomas died in 1859. The community of Plymouth Hollow so revered him that they changed the name on July 6, 1875, to Thomaston in his honor. After his death, his son, Aaron, took over the company's leadership. Aaron is credited with increasing the business by adding a number of new case styles and improving production methods. The company went out of business in the 1980s.
