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Nautical Bygones
Tel07974978588Please quote Antiques Atlas.
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+44 7974978588
WW2 Mercer Brass Ships R.N. Convoy Zig Zag Clock
1 of 5
Very Rare WWII Original Royal Navy Mercer 8 Day Brass Ships Convoy ZIGZAG Working Clock with Key
OCTO Mercer St. Albans England
Overall diameter 9.5" bevelled glass 6.5" 4" deep
With Original External Electrical Contacts
Bevelled Glass
Working with key
Great original piece. No major damage, bevelled glass intact, a few dints and marks commensurate with age.
Named zig zag as ships in a convoy were continually zig-zagging in close formation, leaving little room for intrusion. Besides their artillery, bomb-throwers and depth charges, they also had a well-armed naval escort. Clearly a submarine could not approach closely on the surface, and when she dived her speed was limited. The convoy’s zig-zag pattern was also continually changing, so that it was almost hopeless to judge where the ships would be when she put up her periscope again. They might be heading right away from her, in which case an attack was hopeless.
On the bridge was a zig-zag antique clock. It had a rim around its face and moveable contacts. The antique clock would be wound up and started when the Commodore ship lowered the flag indicating the start of the zigzag. The ships would all lower their flags and alter course to the first leg. The clock would then be started and when it reached 10 minutes it would sound a buzzer and the 2nd course would be instigated. The zigzag repeated itself each hour until another flag signal would be raised by the Commodore ship indicating a resumption of course and this would be done on the lowering of the flag.
As you could imagine, time had to be allowed for the ships to work out the relevant courses and as most would have magnetic compasses it called for some quick maths. We can arrange delivery to many countries worldwide, please get in touch for a quote.
We are happy to accept cash, cleared cheque, bank transfer or Paypal as forms of payment.
Please feel free to call us on any day of the week between 8am and 9pm if you would like to discuss any items and we will be delighted to speak to you.
We are also happy for you to email us or you can send a text message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
SellerNautical Bygones
View all stock from
Nautical Bygones
Private dealer
By appointment only
Ashton under Lyne
Lancashire
Tel : 07974978588
Non UK callers : +44 7974978588
OCTO Mercer St. Albans England
Overall diameter 9.5" bevelled glass 6.5" 4" deep
With Original External Electrical Contacts
Bevelled Glass
Working with key
Great original piece. No major damage, bevelled glass intact, a few dints and marks commensurate with age.
Named zig zag as ships in a convoy were continually zig-zagging in close formation, leaving little room for intrusion. Besides their artillery, bomb-throwers and depth charges, they also had a well-armed naval escort. Clearly a submarine could not approach closely on the surface, and when she dived her speed was limited. The convoy’s zig-zag pattern was also continually changing, so that it was almost hopeless to judge where the ships would be when she put up her periscope again. They might be heading right away from her, in which case an attack was hopeless.
On the bridge was a zig-zag antique clock. It had a rim around its face and moveable contacts. The antique clock would be wound up and started when the Commodore ship lowered the flag indicating the start of the zigzag. The ships would all lower their flags and alter course to the first leg. The clock would then be started and when it reached 10 minutes it would sound a buzzer and the 2nd course would be instigated. The zigzag repeated itself each hour until another flag signal would be raised by the Commodore ship indicating a resumption of course and this would be done on the lowering of the flag.
As you could imagine, time had to be allowed for the ships to work out the relevant courses and as most would have magnetic compasses it called for some quick maths. We can arrange delivery to many countries worldwide, please get in touch for a quote.
We are happy to accept cash, cleared cheque, bank transfer or Paypal as forms of payment.
Please feel free to call us on any day of the week between 8am and 9pm if you would like to discuss any items and we will be delighted to speak to you.
We are also happy for you to email us or you can send a text message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Price The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 12/MAR/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
DimensionsOverall diameter 9.5" bevelled glass 6.5" 4" deep
Category Nautical Antiques
Period 1930s Antiques
Material Brass
Origin English
Condition Working with key
Great original piece. No major damage, bevelled glass intact, a few dints and marks commensurate with age.
Item code as923a011 / Ref(CINBBTT)100417
Status Sold
£625.00 
$810.50 
€741.94 
$
€
Conversion rates as of 12/MAR/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
View all stock from
Nautical Bygones
Private dealerBy appointment only
Ashton under Lyne
Lancashire
Tel : 07974978588
Non UK callers : +44 7974978588
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