RARE SETH THOMAS WW II U.S. NAVY POLISHED BRASS MARK I BOAT
CLOCK
PIECES
Cartouche 1940
Presentation
Quality
A WW II Seth Thomas MK
I Boat Clock In a Forged Polished Brass Three Piece
Case.
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clocks of
WW II were manufactured in accordance
with military specifications 18C-5 D and 18C-13 dated September 1, 1938. The
design called for an 8 day movement
housed in a dust proof, moisture proof case equipped with a
cushion bulkhead mounting plate. The black 12 hour dial
had luminous hands and dots over the numerals. They are wound,
set and regulated through a dust cover at the back
of the case. The markings on the dial are “acid etched”.
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work, “MILITARY TIMEPIECES” say that these clocks were chromium plated up to 1941 when
cases were switched to Bakelite, a phenolic.
Comparative size Navy Boat clock
vs Deck
clock=”center”>
case
dust cover with controls
11 jewel, 8 day
movement
Beneath the hand arbor is
etched:
MARK
I DECK CLOCK
U.S. NAVY
(NO) 1289, 1940
(NO)
represents the Naval Observatory which
means the clock not only met the military specifications, but
also met the stringent standards of this institution which
maintains the Nation’s Time Standard. At the bottom of
the dial it is marked “Made by Seth Thomas in USA”.
The following controls are accessed on the
back:
-
Fast – Slow adjustment. To
regulate turn towards S to Slow and vice versa -
Stop – allows to precision
setting with master clock -
Set – moves hands
-
Wind – a key is included
It has a Seth Thomas Model 5160 series, 11
jewel 8 day movement that is wound, set and adjusted through a
slotted dust cover at its rear which closes. A separate start/stop
mechanism allows it to be synchronized with a master time
piece.
The removable vibration dampener
backing plate is attached to the bulkhead plate by six screws and
holds the front case secure by a wing nut dog.
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CONDITION:
This example has seen about 73 years of service, much of it at sea,
and gives the appearance of being new. The face is in very
good condition, and shows little evidence of aging when viewed
close-up. The dots over the numbers once were painted with
irradium for night viewing, but this has been removed because it
was radio active.
The lens under most light conditions
shows clear. The movement has been recently serviced and is
keeping good time. A key is included. The case has been recently
polished and lacquered.
