Extremely rare Chelsea Clock Co. 12" Special Grand Dial Chain Clock. Ships Bell. Serial number 139658. Ca. 1920. The clock retains the original hinged yellow brass case with a pair of brass eye hooks mounted near the numerals 10 and 2. The clock is one of two known that have the original factory brass chain with mounting plate that measures 22 inches in length. The ships bell movement is signed with the following markings: "Chelsea Clock Co. Boston, USA. Patented Oct. 25, 1898, Sept. 19, 1899, June 5 1900 Also Patented in Great Britain May 31, 1900" and serial number 139658. The dial has fancy applied bronze numerals and the inlaid pierced bronze disk which is signed CHELSEA CLOCK CO. BOSTON U.S.A. The clock has the original fancy pierced hands. The clock was sold in 1920 by Chelsea to the William Cramp & Sons Shipbuilding Company of Philadelphia which was founded in 1825 by William Cramp, and was the preeminent U.S. iron shipbuilder of the late 19th century. Chelsea built these chain clocks for a very few years with the intent that these clocks could be hung in a variety of places and configurations. Because of the cost of the clock very few of these chain clocks were manufactured. The case has been recently polished and lacquered. The movement has been recently overhauled and is running accurately. The dial is untouched and has minor discoloration in the original lacquer. The mounting eye hooks, chains and mounting plates are original.