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Chelsea Clocks - A History -
Chelsea Clocks are part of a great American clock making legacy with roots going back over 200 years.
Joseph Eastman started the business that is now the Chelsea Clock Company in 1886. One of Eastman's revolutionary contributions to the art of making clocks was to put a watch escapement mechanism (which had been made on a limited basis for use aboard ship) in a high quality striking clock for home use.
He argued that these clocks would make excellent timekeepers, that they would run in any position, and that they would not have to be set plum on the mantle as pendulum clocks did. These clocks would be small and compact and lend themselves to small clock cases.
In 1886 Eastman built a factory to manufacture clocks in Chelsea MA, and called it the Eastman Clock Company. Eventually the company became the Boston Clock Company and when Charles H. Pearson of Brookline bought the business in 1897 it was renamed the Chelsea Clock Company.
While the early days of the Chelsea Clock Company were somewhat stormy, the makers of Chelsea Clocks devoted themselves to the idea of making the finest quality clocks in the world. There is not a clock company in the world whose product approaches the quality of Chelsea Clocks.
One of the early developments of the Chelsea Clock Company was the making of the Ship's Bell nautical clock. This particular nautical clock proved to be a very popular one, not only for use at sea, but also for home use. The Chelsea Ship's Bell clock and non-striking clocks are found in every port in the world. In addition to the use of Chelsea clocks in the home and for nautical applications, Chelsea Clocks are used in a variety of precision instruments.
Chelsea Clocks are used in Russia, Japan, India, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico and many other places. Many of these clocks are used in the measuring of the water supply in New York, Chicago, Boston, and a dozen other cities. Practically every hydroelectric development in the USA, is based on information gathered by Chelsea Clock instruments over a period of ten years. Chelsea Clocks also measure the amount of water taken out of the Great Lakes for the sewage disposal of the City of Chicago.
Chelsea recording clocks are generally built to customers' specifications for a varied and often rather unique applications. Chelsea clocks are used in the measuring of the electricity generated by Niagara Falls as wells as the timing of electrocutions at Atlanta Penitentiary. The precision movements found in Chelsea clocks have been installed in many airports the world over. Every pilot who has attempted high altitude records for airplane flights carried a sealed Chelsea Clock mechanism, which automatically records their altitude.
Macmillan used a number of Chelsea clocks to record the magnetism at the North Pole during his famous Arctic Expedition of 1922. And Chelsea clocks were used by Admiral Byrd for recording temperature, pressure, and humidity on his South Pole expedition.
During World War I and II the Chelsea Clock Company furnished thousands of clocks to the armed forces for use aboard Liberty ships, submarines, destroyers, cruisers, battleships and aircraft carriers. Any number of Chelsea special nautical clock movements is used in connection with fire control mechanisms on battleships and also with dead reckoning tracers. The U.S. Army has used many Chelsea clocks. The Chelsea Clock Company has been called upon to develop nautical clock movements which operate under water to record the depth of cable cutters, as well as clock movements which can be dropped from an airplane at several thousand feet and still operate after striking the water.
Today the Chelsea Clock Company is celebrating over 100 years of fine American clock making. Chelsea clocks are sold throughout the world in marine and nautical stores, fine jewelry stores and through promotional products distributors.
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Desk Mate
Polished marble base. Gold plated brass clock bezel and pen base..
Retail $75
Our price:
$ 44.93
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Barrel Clock - Cable Bezel
Barrel clock with cable bezel (includes Chelsea Custom Presentation Gift Box)
Retail $80
Our price:
$ 68.95
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Table Clock
Forged brass with gold plated brass bezel and easel back.
Retail $105
Our price:
$ 83.95
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Desk Clock
Desk clock with marble base and forged brass.
Retail $175
Our price:
$ 129.95
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Starlight Clock
Forged brass and hinged back door.
Retail $235
Our price:
$ 174.95
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Chelsea Presentation Clock
One of our most popular timepieces. Choose between Roman or Arabic numerals.
Retail $260
Our price:
$ 179.95
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Carriage Clock
Designed to accent your most cherished table...
Retail $335
Our price:
$ 239.95
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Thames Clock
Mantel clock with forged brass case.
Retail $295
Our price:
$ 214.95
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Moonphase Clock
Reveals the phases of the moon throughout the month..
Retail $290
Our price:
$ 209.95
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Embassy Clock
A stately timepiece ideal as a recognition gift.
Retail 300
Our price:
$ 215.95
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Constitution Clock
The sensually flowing lines of its base are carved from a solid block of forged brass. It is both a strong and delicate design.
Retail $295
Our price:
$ 212.95
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Westminster Clock
Forged brass case with American walnut base.
Retail $400
Our price:
$ 285.95
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Chelsea Executive Clock
Clean lines and classic face combine the contemporary with the traditional..
Retail $350
Our price:
$ 249.95
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Presidential Clock
The graceful curves and the contrast of polished brass and mahogany lend a touch of dignity to this important piece..
Retail $415
Our price:
$ 298.95
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Navigator Clock
Mahogany chronometer with precision US Navy specified high torque quartz movement.
Retail $500
Our price:
$ 349.95
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Boston Clock
Designed For Important Awards..
Retail $2000
Our price:
$ 1900.00
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The Millennium
A limited edition time piece by the Chelsea Company..
Retail $3500
Our price:
$ 2450.00
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The Centennial
Created to celebrate one hundred years of fine American clockmaking at Chelsea.
$ 2400.00
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