The Chrome Atlantis Collection
German quartz movement strikes traditional ship's 8-bell cycle, ringing every half hour. Bell silencer for quiet when wanted. Powered by single AA battery.
Weems & Plath has given a contemporary look to our traditional Atlantis Collection. This innovative look is a departure from tradition in outward appearance only, on the interior everything remains the same. The fine chrome plating on the solid brass case adds timeless depth and luster to the exterior, while the precision movements used inside maintain the traditional quality expected from any instrument carrying the Weems & Plath name. The screw bezel allows easy access to the movement when the unit is mounted.
Each instrument is provided with complete instructions, mounting hardware, and a fresh battery as required. All instruments carry a lifetime warranty, except the quartz ship's bell clock, which carries a two-year warranty.
Dial: 4". Base: 5-1/2". Depth: 2-7/8".
WHAT IS SHIP'S BELL TIME?
The operating stations of a ship at sea must be manned 24 hours a day. The crew is divided into "watches" or shifts who rotate being on duty in four-hour watches. Early in the sailing ship era the passage of each watch was marked with an hourglass which ran for 30 minutes. Each half hour when the glass was turned over a bell was struck. A traditional pattern of bell strikes developed to enable crewmen on watch to know where they were on their watch by listening to the bells. As mechanical clocks were developed this tradition transfered to the ship's bell clock.
Example: At noon, eight bells are struck, and a new watch comes on duty. At 12:30PM one bell is struck, at 1:00PM -- two bells, at 1:30PM -- 3 bells, and so forth adding a bell each half hour until at 4:00PM it is eight bells again, and a new watch comes on duty. Then at 4:30PM the sequence starts over with one bell.