The Chess Clock Cabinet II
As the main room is getting congested, we have opened this new hall for the chess clocks of the Museum - the Curator!
Raab timer
Massive clock from Buenos Aires, made using - as so often - two alarm clock works. Massive buttons, underslung clock stopper action, a cute little wheel to mark the march of seconds! These wheels and buttons problably reflect what was available in Buenos Aires in those days - around 1940 - to 1960.
Classic Solora
Interesting early Solora clock, probably a clockmaker's version in a small series - or even an unique piece! The massive wood enclosure opens in the rear to permit adjustments - the idea one gets that there should be an adjustable triangle here, to permit various inclinations and major stability for the timer....
Girod
Another clock composed from two alarm clocks - this seems to be the easiest technique for a clockmaker to create chess timer ! The alarm clocks are by Girod - a French company not around any more...
Fichter clock
This finely finished clock from the Black Forest clock center Villingen was made until 1976 when the company went bust. it is housed inside a wood block, with inhouse clock works, and its fine mechanics, superb statics and generally quality appearance put it on a par with Loopings and Soloras! It is also rare - not a lot can have been made in the few years of production....
Shuttlecock clock
Interesting item with the stamp of the Swedish Chess Federation - and HAC works from Germany inside. The two clocks are moved by a central slab which has to be pushed back and forth, like a shuttleclock.
Hawks timer
This cute chess timer is arguably the smallest chess clock ever made - fits comfortably into a shirt pocket! Uses two pocket watches connected by a simple bar, can be inclined, and works quite inaudibly. No flags ! One of three chess clocks I know of, made with small size clock works, one of the other ones being the Solora. The Hawks clock is fairly rare, and shd date from the 30ies to 50ies. Here shown in front of a german Alpha clock, for comparison. check also another on Petr Chladek's page .... yes, different watches used! But the finest specimen - with documents and boxed! - is unquestionably the one shown on Mike Ladzinsky's site - what a find, Mike !
Scandinavian Wood
Solid lever action clock from Sweden, with inscriptions from two Swedish chess clubs on the case. Quite ingenuous switchover mechanism, using the long and deep central wooden divider - to switch the clocks over from the bottom! Possibly the forerunner of the well known Swedish TOWER clock, still made and used today!
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Sutton Coldfield 3
Another of the many clock types B.H.Wood had confectioned for his commerce, most likely in the 60ies to 80ies. Not the last either - a plastic case model was to follow. This clock is very solid, composed of two alarm clocks linked up, and made by the Enfield clock factory.... this clock is a donation from US collector Mike Ladzinsky - thank You, Mike!
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Poland's best!
Impressive clock, most likely made in the 50ies by the Mera - Poltik company in Lodz, Poland, using two alarm clock movements of massive appearance - no cutouts in the frames! Works fine, simple and efficient clock brakes....might eventually have been made in Silesia/Western Poland, then part of interwar Germany....the same clock is visible on Petr Chladek's collector page - but with more recent clockworks...
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"Pushover" clock
Large and venerable clock with a very simple but adequate changeover system - a massive wood bar has to be pushed back and forth by the players - at every push it stops one of the clocks via some attached metal strips! This seems to predate the changeover levers. Made and in use around 1900 - pre-WW I - clockworks most likely by HAC. Massive case in oak wood, roman numerals on the clock face....
Check the same clock on Marco Dorland's Picasa site... this site also shows a few old tournament photographs sorting this clock in tournament use (San Remo 1911, San Sebastian 1911) ! |
Czech Kienzle
Most interesting clock, made in the 40ies in Czechoslovakia! This clock sports Kienzle works - from the Kienzle factory in Chomutov/Komotau. A massive base provides superb stability, and hides a massive but ingenious changeover mechanism. There is even a stop-all button...this clock came to me through the ministrations of my good friend Petr Chladek - dziekujem og takk, Petr! - check his clock pages here.
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Looping (aka Heuer)
_This superbly finished chess clock from the 70ies looks like the fabled Heuer - or rather, the Heuer looks like the Looping clock! A little story of marketing and truth & facts, see under Essays & Notes
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