Description
Seth Thomas U.S. Navy Boat Clock MK I – 1944 Production
This is an original Seth Thomas U.S. Navy Boat Clock, Mark I, a classic World War II–era naval timepiece produced in 1944 for use aboard U.S. Navy vessels. Measuring approximately 6 inches in diameter, the clock features a heavy brass case designed to withstand the harsh conditions of shipboard service, including vibration and exposure to moisture.
The clock is complete and in running condition, retaining its original configuration. The dial is fitted with red-painted hour and minute hands, with a green-painted second hand mounted on a separate subsidiary seconds dial, a characteristic feature of these naval clocks for precise timekeeping. Above the winding key port on the dial is a hand-engraved marking consisting of a square enclosing a lightning bolt, followed by the number “8959,” indicating period-applied identification or inventory marking associated with naval service.
Seth Thomas was a primary supplier of precision timepieces to the U.S. military during World War II, and the Mark I boat clock was widely used on patrol craft, auxiliaries, and larger vessels where accurate time was essential for navigation, coordination, and operations. The robust brass construction and legible dial reflect the functional, no-nonsense design demanded by wartime naval requirements.
This example represents a desirable and authentic piece of U.S. Navy material culture from 1944, suitable for collectors of naval memorabilia, maritime horology, or World War II–era military equipment.
