Pictures

Schatz "Ship's Bells" Clock, circa 1970 ?

This is a vintage Schatz 8-day brass "ship's bells" clock, probably from the 1960s or '70s. Purchased on eBay in January 2008 as a "parts clock" to be used in the restoration of another clock. The seller said the bell strike part didn't work, and there was some corrosion on the brass. There was nothing wrong with the movement, it wasn't even dirty, and the case cleaned up nicely. I guess the seller just didn't know how a ship's clock is supposed to strike, or didn't know that needs to be hanging on the wall for the hammers to drop properly. I made a replacement "door knob" because the original was missing.

The clock strikes the "ship's watch" rather than the hour of the day. For those who may be unfamiliar, Onboard ship the 12-hour day is basically divided into three 4-hour watches which start and end at 12:00, 4:00, and 8:00 O'clock. The bells are sounded every half-hour, with with one bell being added until 8 bells are sounded at the end of the watch, then the process starts over again. The clock never sounds more than 8 bells, and the bells are sounded in pairs on the hours plus a half-pair (single bell) on the half-hour. 1:00 O'Clock would be 2 bells "ding-ding" marking two half-hours into the watch that began at noon. 2:30 O'Clock would be sounded, "ding-ding......ding-ding......ding", or 5 bells marking two hours plus one half-hour (or five half-hours if you like) into the watch. Clock was disassembled and used for parts with the movement and case parts going in three different directions.


Greenfield Clock Shop does not service Schatz ships bells clocks

Not for sale

The information on this page is believed to the writer to be correct at the date of posting but is presented with no guarantee expressed or implied. Pictures were a true representation of this clock at the time of posting but may not be current. Please contact me if you believe that any of the above information is incorrect, or if you wish to share additional information, or discuss this clock.

Unless otherwise credited, the pictures and information on this page are the property of Robert H Croswell & Greenfield Clock shop, 4180 Main Street, Trappe, MD 21673 and may not be sold or used for commercial purposes without permission. © 2016

email:  bobby@greenfieldclockshop.com