Chelsea Ship's Clock - What do I have??

[Dave]

All:

 

I've had this bee-bopping in my garage for quite some time. It's a gen-u-ine US Navy Chelsea Ship's Clock. It's in great shape, but the glass was broken when I got it and I have since removed it so as not to cause injury.

 

Does anyone know anything about these? I believe it dates from the 60s or 70s, and it appears to work fine.

 

I'd honestly like to part with it...but I have no clue what it's worth. Thoughts?

 

Dave

[Salvage Sailor]

Aloha Dave,

 

Yep, ships' clock circa 1945-1970, most likely 1950's vintage . One of my duties as an Ops puke was to synchronize a stopwatch with the ships' Hamilton chronometer and then go wind every clock on the ship. I'd have a "clock log", one of those green canvas covered generic log books, and have to note any difference in the time against the stopwatch & also note if I advanced or retarded the clock. That's the advance/retard adjustment on the right side of the clock face. There were many different types of clocks aboard. Most of them were Chelseas, and the WWII or earlier models were dated on the face. Some wound from the back, others from the front like yours.

 

There were also black face clocks with white numerals, white face clocks with black numerals (like yours), 7 1/2" clocks, 12" clocks, 24 hour clocks and some small brass ones too.

 

The clock in the attached image is a 1943 Chelsea which came from the Goat Locker of the USS GRASP (ARS-24) when she was decommissioned.

 

Nice clock, they fetch from $150 to $300 on ebay for working models with the key.

 

 

 

 

 

All:

 

I've had this bee-bopping in my garage for quite some time. It's a gen-u-ine US Navy Chelsea Ship's Clock. It's in great shape, but the glass was broken when I got it and I have since removed it so as not to cause injury.

 

Does anyone know anything about these? I believe it dates from the 60s or 70s, and it appears to work fine.

 

I'd honestly like to part with it...but I have no clue what it's worth. Thoughts?

 

Dave

[sigsaye]

LOved those clocks. Always had two 24 hour clocks on the Sigs Bridge, one set to local one set to ZULU time for communication logging. the one for ZULU time had a large "Z" painted on it so the new boys could keep it straight.

 

Steve Hesson

[kwill]

There are lots of different variations on these, as others have pointed out. I don't know much about them but bought a very similar one for $85 at a flea market. It keeps great time. You can find them on eBay fairly often.

 

Regards,

Kevin Williams

[River Rat 1]

That one has the larger case 8 1/2 inch most were 6 inch diameter with the glass replaced might be worth 350.00 becouse of the size.Best book on US military clocks and watches for info is Military timepiece by Whitney who worked in the US Naval Observatory that use to test our country military time pieces.

[Survival]

Look very carefully on the back of the case. There is usually a serial number scratched by hand into the bakelite. Check in good light and try looking at an angle as its hard to see. You can also remove the clock from the case by removing the three screws. Look at the back and the serial number will be stamped on the back brass plate. You can easily date the clock on line by googling for Chelsea serial numbers. I am guessing Vietnam war era. I would say probably 225.00 plus if still running well

[manayunkman]

I agree with the previous post that the size of this clock will determine the value.

 

Is the wire spring ring still in the frame where the glass came out ?

 

Not having the glass will hurt the value but the larger diameter will help.

 

I would say that with the glass it's $350.00.

 

Without 275.00.

 

I've sold several of the smaller diameter for 200.00 running with glass and the black face.

 

M

[Survival]

Here is a similar clock on E bay. The Govt lettering is scratched out but it does have the glass intact. That will give you a ball park price....

 

 

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370629497258?ssPag...984.m1423.l2649

[Charlie Flick]

Dave:

 

I saw several Chelseas of this type when I toured the USS New Jersey some years ago. They were also marked on the face "US Government", rather than US Navy, which suggested to me that they had been placed on the ship during a post-WW2 refit. I was paying attention to the clocks as I have a couple Navy examples in my collection, including one marked US Government but with a black face.

 

Here is a pic of similar clocks in the chart room on the New Jersey. (Photo credit Bill Maloney.)

 

Regards,

Charlie Flick

 

[Survival]

The clock on E bay went for 183.00. Had US Govt scratched out but was running with the glass intact.....