Pictures

Smiths Astral Marine clock with seconds bit, circa 1955-75

This is a bulkhead mount marine clock made by Smiths English Clocks LTD, London. It has a 7 jewel movement with a Swiss made platform escapement, and it has a seconds bit. The movement has very heavy brass plates and an extremely robust main spring, barrel, and main wheel. I have been told that Smiths took over H.W. Williamson Ltd. in 1934 and at that time had rights to the "Astral" brand and that these were still in production in 1942, but by 1955 the Astral movements were being made only in the Coventry, not the London, plant. I have been informed that moments like this one were built from the mid 1950's unit the late 1970's. This would likely place the date of my clock during this period.

I've never owned an English clock before, so I didn't really know what to expect when this one turned up at a local estate auction on Feb. 16, 2009. All I knew was that it was made in England and it was fully wound and not running, it had a seconds bit, nice beveled glass, and an attractive case and It looked like it wanted to come home with me! When I opened it up I discovered what looked like an very well made high quality timepiece. It was dirty but had little or no pivot wear. There was some damage to the end of the winding arbor and the hole in the dial where someone must have been winding it with pliers for some time, but I was able to touch up the dial and arbor is long enough that a proper key still gets a firm grip. After a good cleaning and a little oil, she was running very well. Some time later the escapement lost a pallet jewel and was sidelined until a suitable replacement could be located. I was fortunate to find an almost identical 123 movement on eBay. That movement had other damage but a good escapement that was only slightly different in appearance but a direct working replacement. The clock is now happy and I think this one's a keeper!


For Sale $550.00

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