Chelsea Clock Museum - Harvard Clock Company

Harvard Clock Company

Joseph Henry Eastman, 1843-1931, was a principle in the formation of the Harvard Clock Company circa 1880. After serving his apprenticeship as a watchmaker, reputedly with E. Howard & Co., Boston, Eastman's horilogical genius began with the Harvard Clock Company and a patent for clocks dated December 28, 1880. This date is marked on most all Harvard and Boston Clock Company products. Harvard clocks are of unsurpassed quality. Harvard Clock Company produced clocks of marine, carriage, banjo, and shelf types from 1880-1884. Known Harvard clock serial numbers range from 13 to 1186, indicating initially approximately 1200 clocks were manufactured. Extensive study of known serial numbers shows sampling in all 100 number ranges with the exception of no data points in the range 600-999. With the significant number of presently known clocks, it is fair to say with certainty, that 800 clocks is the most likely number produced. All known Harvard clocks are time only, however, "repeating" clocks are mentioned in an 1881 advertisement for the Harvard Clock Company. The following two entries from the Boston City Directories are the oldest known advertisements of Joseph Eastman and the Harvard Clock Company.

J. H. EASTMAN,

Manufacturer of

CLOCKS, WATCHES,

Watchmakers’ Tools and Materials,

Wheels and Pinions for Clocks, Stem Winding and other Watches.

Music Boxes, Models, and Automatic Machinery.

FINE WATCH REPAIRING A SPECIALTY

105 Sumtner Street, Room 21, - - Boston.

Boston City Directory, 1880

Edwin Chaffin, Pres. Edwin o. CHILES, treas.

Jos. H. Eastman, Gen’l Manager. James Bridgeman, Supt.

HARVARD CLOCK CO.,