Ship's clocks and barometers for expats in Spain: Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol and the Balearics

You have made the move — a villa above Altea, an apartment in Marbella, a boat in the marina at Dénia or Palma — and the white walls are waiting for something that belongs to the sea. A solid brass ship's clock does that like nothing else: it is a real instrument, not decoration, and it looks at home against whitewashed plaster as much as on a teak bulkhead. This guide is for English-speaking residents and second-home owners in Spain who want the real thing, bought locally, without customs surprises.

Why marine instruments suit a Mediterranean home

Brass and white walls were made for each other, but the appeal is practical too. The Mediterranean changes its mind quickly — a morning of glass-calm sea can turn into a stiff afternoon breeze — and an aneroid barometer still reads the pressure trend hours before the sky shows it. In a cabin, a hygro-thermometer tells you when to ventilate before condensation sets in. And a ship's bell clock striking the watches every half hour is simply the sound of being on board.

Which instrument for which place?

• Living room or terrace wall: the large Schatz 1881 Royal ø180 mm in polished brass — readable from the sofa, unmistakably nautical.
• Hallway, study or saloon on board: the Schatz Midi ø155 mm, the most versatile size, including the 8-day mechanical ship's bell clock for purists.
• Modern apartment, stainless-steel boat or damp galley: the chrome-plated Schatz Fyrkat ø140 mm or the mirror-polished stainless instruments by VION.
• Matching sets: clock + barometer (+ hygro-thermometer) of the same diameter and finish make the classic instrument panel. See our mounting guide.

An honest word on tide clocks: the Mediterranean has very small tides, so a tide clock is mostly a charming reminder here. If you keep a boat on the Atlantic side — Cádiz, the Algarve, Galicia — it earns its place on the wall.

Brass, sun and salt: how to keep it beautiful

Sea air is kind to nobody's metal. Polished brass slowly develops a warm patina; if you prefer the mirror look, a soft cloth and a gentle brass polish once in a while is all it takes — our guide to caring for marine brass explains how. For covered terraces, galleys or very humid spots choose chrome-plated brass or stainless steel, which shrug off the salt; compare the options in the guide to finishes. Whatever the finish, mount instruments out of direct rain and full sun.

Buying in Spain, the easy way

• Spanish web shop, European stock: we import directly from Delite in Denmark, the maker of Schatz 1881, VION and Altitude. Prices are in euros with VAT included — it is an EU purchase, so there is no customs or import duty.
• Insured delivery to mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera), typically in 3 to 5 working days, in reinforced packaging with tracking. Current rates are on our shipping page. We do not ship to the Canary Islands, Ceuta or Melilla for now.
• English-speaking support: our team is happy to help in English — before you order or if you need an original spare part years later.
• Gifts: a ship's clock is the housewarming or boat-naming present that actually gets used. More ideas in the nautical gift guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do you deliver to Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca?

Yes, at the same insured rate as the mainland. Delivery times to the islands can be a day or two longer.

I live in Spain but my bank is in the UK or Ireland — is that a problem?

No. Your delivery and billing address need to be in Spain, which is how our checkout is configured; the payment itself can come from any bank. For delivery to other EU countries please contact us first.

Are the clocks genuine Schatz 1881?

Yes — every Schatz comes straight from Delite, the Danish house that has produced the brand since 2012, with its official reference and maker's warranty. Read where to buy Schatz 1881 in Spain.

Mechanical or quartz for a holiday home?

If the house stands empty for weeks, a quartz clock keeps time without attention. A mechanical 8-day clock is pure tradition but needs its weekly winding — see how to wind a ship's clock.

Ready to bring the sea indoors? Start with the complete Schatz 1881 range, browse all ship's clocks or ask us — we answer in English, usually the same working day.