Choosing a marine clock comes down to four decisions: the movement inside, the finish outside, whether it should match a barometer, and where it will hang. A cabin bulkhead, an open cockpit, and a home office each call for a different answer. The guidance below follows the Weems & Plath range carried by American Nautical Services, which runs from splash-resistant resin cockpit clocks to hand-polished forged brass and key-wound 8-day ship's bell clocks.
Quartz vs Mechanical Ship Clocks: Which Should You Buy?
Most marine clocks sold today run on a quartz movement. Mechanical movements survive mainly in traditional ship's bell clocks, where the hand-wound mechanism and its chime are the reason to buy.
| Factor | Quartz movement | Mechanical 8-day movement |
|---|---|---|
| Power | AA battery | Key-wound once a week |
| Accuracy | Precise for everyday use | About plus or minus 2 minutes, per Weems & Plath for its Atlantis 8-Day |
| Maintenance | Periodic battery change | Weekly winding and periodic professional servicing |
| Chime options | Silent or ship's bell | Ship's bell |
| Price | From entry-level to premium | Premium |
In the ANS range, every mechanical clock is a ship's bell clock: the Atlantis 8-Day Ship's Bell Clock and the Anniversary 8-Day. Anyone who wants a silent, traditional-looking brass clock should choose quartz.
Quick picks:
- For a silent bulkhead clock: a quartz clock without a bell movement
- For the traditional half-hour chime with no winding: a quartz ship's bell clock with a silencer switch
- For the full heritage experience: an 8-day key-wound ship's bell clock
- For tide-aware cruising: a time and tide clock, which adds a tide hand to the dial
Time and tide clocks need one caution. The tide hand follows an average lunar tide cycle. Weems & Plath notes that its Trident Time & Tide is set to the Atlantic cycle and needs frequent resetting in waters such as the Pacific or the Gulf of Mexico.
Brass, Chrome, or Resin: Choosing a Finish That Lasts at Sea
Finish decides how a clock ages in salt air. The three finishes in the ANS clock range behave very differently.
Lacquered solid brass
Forged brass cases, hand-polished and lacquered, give the classic look of the Atlantis Quartz Clock, with its screw bezel. Lacquer protects the shine, but once it wears through in damp, salty air, the brass beneath will tarnish. Lacquered brass suits interiors, studies, and enclosed wheelhouses best. A non-abrasive polish such as Sure Shine keeps unlacquered metal bright.
Maintenance-free brass
The Endurance collection uses an ultra-hard brass finish that Weems & Plath guarantees will never tarnish. Several Endurance models add an O-ring behind the glass for splash resistance. For a brass look in a cabin or saloon that sees salt air, models such as the Endurance II 115 Quartz Clock are the low-effort choice.
Chrome and resin
Chrome-plated brass, as on the Chrome Plated Atlantis Quartz Clock, matches stainless deck hardware and modern interiors. For exposed positions, the Bluewater Quartz Clock uses a high-impact black resin case with an O-ring seal and is designed for cockpits and other places exposed to weather.
| Location | Best finish |
|---|---|
| Home office or study | Lacquered solid brass or chrome |
| Interior cabin or saloon | Maintenance-free brass or chrome |
| Enclosed wheelhouse | Maintenance-free brass |
| Open cockpit or flybridge | Splash-resistant resin |
Matched Clock and Barometer Sets
Clocks and barometers are usually bought as a pair, mounted side by side so the time of each pressure reading is obvious. Weems & Plath builds its barometers in matching cases, sizes, and finishes to its clocks, so a matched set is a case of choosing the same collection twice.
| Collection | Clock | Matching barometer |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantis (brass) | Atlantis Quartz Clock | Atlantis Barometer |
| Atlantis (chrome) | Chrome Plated Atlantis Quartz Clock | Chrome Plated Atlantis Barometer |
| Endurance II 115 | Endurance II 115 Quartz Clock | Endurance II 115 Open Dial Barometer |
| Endurance 125 | Brass Endurance 125 Clock | Brass Endurance 125 Barometer |
| Bluewater | Bluewater Quartz Clock | Bluewater Barometer |
| Trident | Trident Bimini Quartz Clock | Trident Barometer |
For desks rather than bulkheads, the Skipjack Clock and Barometer combines both instruments in one gimbaled brass case. Every matching model is listed in the barometers collection. For a continuous pressure record rather than a dial, a barograph draws the pressure trend on a paper chart. The ANS explainer on how an aneroid barometer works covers how to read and set the instrument.
Where to Mount a Ship's Clock Aboard
Placement affects readability, accuracy of the barometer beside it, and even the steering compass.
- Mount at eye level where the helmsman or navigator can read the dial without moving.
- Keep the clock and any matching barometer away from direct sunlight, engine heat, and air-conditioning vents, which distort barometer readings.
- Keep clear of the magnetic compass. Battery-powered movements and metal cases can affect a compass, so check the compass for new deviation after installing any instrument nearby.
- Choose a mounting system that allows battery changes without removing screws. The Endurance 085 and 125 models use a patented Slide-n-Lock mount for this reason, and porthole-style hinged bezels give front access.
- On sailboats, mount on a bulkhead that stays reasonably dry when the boat heels and spray comes aboard.
Shop Marine Clocks and Barometer Sets
A well-chosen marine clock should still be keeping time years from now. Matching the movement, finish, and mounting to the space is what makes that happen.
Shop marine clocks and barometer sets in the ANS clocks collection, or contact ANS at +1 (954) 522-3321 or sales@amnautical.com for help pairing a clock and barometer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do quartz ship clocks need maintenance?
Very little. A quartz ship clock needs a periodic AA battery change and an occasional wipe of the case. Lacquered brass benefits from gentle cleaning, while maintenance-free brass, chrome, and resin need almost none.
What's the difference between a ship's clock and a ship's bell clock?
A ship's clock tells time silently. A ship's bell clock also strikes the traditional 8-bell watch cycle every half hour, from one bell to eight bells, and usually includes a silencer switch for nighttime.
Are brass ship clocks weatherproof for outdoor helm stations?
Lacquered brass clocks are not intended for open helm stations. Splash-resistant models with O-ring seals, such as the resin-cased Bluewater, are designed for cockpits and exposed positions, but none should be treated as submersible.
What is the best ship clock for a boat cabin?
A maintenance-free brass or chrome quartz clock suits most cabins, combining a traditional look with resistance to tarnish in salt air.
How long does a mechanical ship's clock run on one winding?
An 8-day mechanical ship's clock runs about a week on a full winding, so owners wind it once a week on a regular day.
Can I get a ship clock that looks vintage but runs on quartz?
Yes. Traditional forged brass cases with screw bezels, such as the Atlantis, house modern quartz movements while keeping the classic ship's clock appearance.
