A very rare limited edition ships striking clock made for Mappin and Webb By Devon Instruments, to a design originally by Charles Frodsham & Co.
This clock is a faithful copy of the Ship’s Bell Clock made by Charles Frodsham for the Festival of Britain in 1951. When Devon Instruments acquired Charles Frodsham & Co. Ltd. in 1976, they were already making high quality clocks based on traditional English manufacturers. This model was made using the design blueprint acquired, and made as a special edition for Mappin & Webb, to commemorate the Maritime England Year. 1982 was a dedicated to celebrating Britain’s Maritime history, notably it is also the year the Mary Rose was raised from the seabed.
The beautifully engineered eight-day two train movement has bell-shaped brass plates in excess of 3mm thick, with the platform lever escapement visible from all sides. The platform is regulated by sprung bimetallic balance. This is not a mass-produced movement that has been adapted; it has been purpose-made as a standalone production for this clock.
The twin hammers strike a ‘ship’s bell’ sequence, most unusually sounding directly onto the hand engraved heavy glass bell-shaped domed cover. The strike of leather on glass gives a lovely mellow tone.
The ships bell sequence increases by one strike every half hour, from one til eight strikes, marking the build of a standard four-hour watch. The sequence starts again at 4, 8 and 12 o’clock. The strike snail is a 24-hour count, to include a modification for the Dog watch (in marine or naval terminology, the dog watch is the work shift between 1600 and 2000 (4 p.m. and 8 p.m.). It is split into two, first and last dog watches, each increasing by one strike per half hour, from one to four strikes. Wikipedia has an excellent description.
The backplate is stamped MAPPIN & WEBB LTD, LONDON over Serial No.054.
Silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with Arabic five minutes within the outer track and pierced blue steel trefoil hands.
The clock is mounted on a circular brass rope twist edged moulded mahogany base, the brass plate inscribed Maritime England, 1982.
Devon Instruments Ltd. was established in 1946 to provide a commercial outlet for the clockmaking and repair skills taught to differently abled individuals at St. Loye’s College in Exeter. By 1980, the company employed around 86 people, many of whom were differently abled. A significant number were original trainees from St. Loye’s College, with which the company continued to maintain close ties.
Mappin & Webb is an international jewellery firm based in England, with roots going back 250 years to a silver workshop established in Sheffield in 1775. Today, it operates retail stores across the UK. The company has held Royal Warrants since 1897, and its master craftsman, Mark Appleby, currently serves as the Crown Jeweller of the United Kingdom.
This clock is shown unserviced but will be fully overhauled before delivery and comes with our two year guarantee.
27cm H x 22cm W x 22cm D
A very rare limited edition ships striking clock made for Mappin and Webb By Devon Instruments, to a design originally by Charles Frodsham & Co.
This clock is a faithful copy of the Ship’s Bell Clock made by Charles Frodsham for the Festival of Britain in 1951. When Devon Instruments acquired Charles Frodsham & Co. Ltd. in 1976, they were already making high quality clocks based on traditional English manufacturers. This model was made using the design blueprint acquired, and made as a special edition for Mappin & Webb, to commemorate the Maritime England Year. 1982 was a dedicated to celebrating Britain’s Maritime history, notably it is also the year the Mary Rose was raised from the seabed.
The beautifully engineered eight-day two train movement has bell-shaped brass plates in excess of 3mm thick, with the platform lever escapement visible from all sides. The platform is regulated by sprung bimetallic balance. This is not a mass-produced movement that has been adapted; it has been purpose-made as a standalone production for this clock.
The twin hammers strike a ‘ship’s bell’ sequence, most unusually sounding directly onto the hand engraved heavy glass bell-shaped domed cover. The strike of leather on glass gives a lovely mellow tone.
The ships bell sequence increases by one strike every half hour, from one til eight strikes, marking the build of a standard four-hour watch. The sequence starts again at 4, 8 and 12 o’clock. The strike snail is a 24-hour count, to include a modification for the Dog watch (in marine or naval terminology, the dog watch is the work shift between 1600 and 2000 (4 p.m. and 8 p.m.). It is split into two, first and last dog watches, each increasing by one strike per half hour, from one to four strikes. Wikipedia has an excellent description.
The backplate is stamped MAPPIN & WEBB LTD, LONDON over Serial No.054.
Silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with Arabic five minutes within the outer track and pierced blue steel trefoil hands.
The clock is mounted on a circular brass rope twist edged moulded mahogany base, the brass plate inscribed Maritime England, 1982.
Devon Instruments Ltd. was established in 1946 to provide a commercial outlet for the clockmaking and repair skills taught to differently abled individuals at St. Loye’s College in Exeter. By 1980, the company employed around 86 people, many of whom were differently abled. A significant number were original trainees from St. Loye’s College, with which the company continued to maintain close ties.
Mappin & Webb is an international jewellery firm based in England, with roots going back 250 years to a silver workshop established in Sheffield in 1775. Today, it operates retail stores across the UK. The company has held Royal Warrants since 1897, and its master craftsman, Mark Appleby, currently serves as the Crown Jeweller of the United Kingdom.
This clock is shown unserviced but will be fully overhauled before delivery and comes with our two year guarantee.
27cm H x 22cm W x 22cm D
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