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6B17  The Resolute

SHIP'S BELL STRIKE—Sounds hours in ship's bell sequence on silver toned bell. CASE—Brown mahogany, tambour type, with integral mahogany dial ring having 8 gold color ship's wheel spokes. DIAL-4 1/2" metal, cream-white background. Dark brown numerals, etched satin gold minute dots, anchor and stars. BEZELS and HANDS are metal, gold color.


back to Post-War Magicto the 6B18 Nantucket


Ship's bell strike explained!  On a ship, there are four hour watches where some poor sap has to steer the vessel or stand out in the cold watching for mines, icebergs, Cubans or what have you.  To keep these poor guys company and maybe keep them awake, a bell strikes every half hour and lets them know how far into the watch they are.  Traditionally, watches start at 12:00, 4:00 and 8:00 so:

At  12:30, 4:30 & 8:30   = 1 bell,
        1:00, 5:00 & 9:00   = 2 bells,
        1:30, 5:30 & 9:30   = 3 bells,
        2:00, 6:00 & 10:00 = 4 bells,
        2:30, 6:30 & 10:30 = 5 bells,
        3:00, 7:00 & 11:00 = 6 bells,
        3:30, 7:30 & 11:30 = 7 bells,
      12:00, 4:00 & 8:00   = 8 bells