chelsea shipstrike

Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 5:34 pm     Post subject: chelsea shipstrike

My chelsea shipstrike clock just got sent back to the factory.

It is about 15 years old and I previously let the movement be replaced by a Dallas area clock repair place.
The repair lasted about 2 years. Is this how long they last?

This time I sent it to the Chelsea people for hopefully a better repair.

I really love the ships bells.
My question is: would it be worth double the money to "upgrade" to the Chelsea Ships Bell clock with a better movement?
The Ships Bell is twice the money, about 2 grand.
Does anyone have the Ships Bell that can review it?

Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 9:09 pm     Post subject:

I can honestly say that two years for repair is (in my humble opinion) a bit too long. I have a full understanding that repairs may take a few months (as testing can take some time to ensure that the movement repair was a success), but I would say that two years is a bit over the top. This does not, however, take into consideration any sort of part replacement issues where availability of any given part may have been a problem. This is especially true with older assemblies where the manufacturer is no longer in business.

In my limited experience with ship's bell movements, I have yet to find a quality movement that will work properly. Klockit had carried a quartz version movement in the past, but was forced to discontinue it due to a high defect rate. It is my understanding that this was a similar case with a mechanical movement version offered before my time with the company. I will admit that I have not had any experience with any of Chelsea's movements. Given that, I would suggest letting their service department speak for itself. If your movement is returned in proper working order at an affordable cost to you, then there would be nothing to be leery about when investing in a more expensive movement option.

Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 11:16 pm     Post subject:

any mechanical clock needs a regular service which people fail to understand. so when its worn out it will need extensive repairing due to the lack of. afterwards it will still need an oil after two years.

Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 1:33 am     Post subject:

To the OP, for a clock to last only two years after repair is far too short. Even that movement, if you oil it every few years, should last 10 or 15 years.

That said, there is a very vibrant market for used Chelsea Ship's Bell clocks, for a small fraction of the price of a new one. $1000 would buy you a very fine, perhaps 60 year old, Chelsea Ship's Bell clock with a 6" dial. Nice examples of the 4-1/2" Chelsea Ship's Bell and 3-3/4" Ship's Bell are significantly less.

The Ship's Bell clocks, even the new ones, are fine quality clocks. The Shipstrike clocks are pretty, but have a throwaway German movement in them. I have several (one new, two old, and two other old Chelsea clocks), and they are very fine clocks.