Chelsea Clock Company

Chelsea Clock Company has been making clocks and barometers in Chelsea since 1897 and is one of the oldest and largest clock manufacturers in the United States. Its timepieces are held as a gold standard by clockmakers and collectors for solid-forged brass cases, hand-silvered dials and custom parts, most of them made and hand-assembled in Chelsea. The lineup includes mechanical and quartz clocks, tide clocks, barometers, ship’s bell clocks and naval deck clocks, often bought as heirloom gifts.

The company went through several names, from Harvard to Boston to Eastman Clock, before settling on Chelsea. Early contracts came from the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Army and Tiffany and Co., and the firm later made dashboard clocks for Rolls-Royce and Ford, airplane clocks for the Navy and clocks used on Admiral Byrd’s South Pole expedition. Today it also restores vintage pieces and offers engraved gifts for weddings, graduations and corporate milestones.

What to Know

• Officially licensed college and university clocks, plus U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps designs, can be engraved.
• A repair and restoration service and a certified resale program keep older Chelsea clocks in use.
• The company runs a Chelsea Legacy trade-in program.
• The company offers factory experiences, including a clockmaking masterclass.