“In the Netherlands one would say you’d own a Koopman not a chess clock“.

Koopman chess clocks were the standard for a good chess clock.

Starting in the mid-thirties the Dutch Company H. Koopman based in Dordrecht, quickly made a name for itself. One unique selling feature apart from the obvious quality of the clocks, was the 1 or 2 year warranty period given for each clock. Sometimes even 3 years were given. Koopman stamped very often at the bottom every clock which makes life for a collector much easier when it comes to dating a clock. One caveat, the period started at the sale date, so older (type) clocks can have a later stamp-date. In cases the warranty stamp is missing, the clock was most likely sold by one of his retailers (and therefore the warranty could not be issued by Koopman). However an Inventory number was stamped at the bottom. Dating such clocks is difficult since the archives of the factory are no longer available to my knowledge.

Koopman opted from the start with the (now standard) two push down button configuration and not with a slide bar which was still popular with some companies , loosely modelled after a HAC clock, which was the standard in the twenties but was quite expensive. Koopman used however clocks from the German HAC (Hamburg America Clock Company-In German: Hamburg America Uhrenfabrik) but the casing and time switching mechanics were his own so he could offer his clocks for less. When I say HAC, I have to say Junghans since the HAC-company merged in the 1930ties with Junghans.

However less than HAC Clocks means still his clocks had a price.

The advert in the magazine “De Schaakwereld” from May 30^th 1940, Koopman clocks were offered as follows:

4 Models :No1,2a, 2 (all with second hand) and No3. The most expensive No1. Was offered for 8 guilders and the cheapest (No3) for 6 guilders and 50 cents. Discounts given if 5 or 10 pieces were bought. In those times a skilled laborer made circa 20-24 Guilders a week. A chess clock would mean a third of his weekly income, in a time where it was very difficult to save money. No wonder a Koopman was a prized possession, only a few could afford. Chess clubs were very proud to own a set of Koopman clocks in those days. It meant their club was thriving and having good material to show for it. Also in the advert the clocks are offered with 1 or 2 years warranty.

Timing was fortunate. Max Euwe became the World Champion in 1935 after winning the chess match from Alekhine. Mr. Euwe is thus far the only Dutch world Champion and most likely the last real amateur reaching the summit. His success started an avalanche of new chess clubs in the Netherlands, all in dire need of reliable and sturdy chess clocks. And as coincidence would have it, a Dutch supplier was at hand with a product delivering just that.

In the lower image belonging to the 1935 World Chess Championship that was played between challenger Max Euwe and title-holder Alexander Alekhine, you can see the Max Andrés chess clock. The Max Andrés chess clock looks like the HAC chess clock and early Koopman, but both Max Andrés and Koopman are slightly more simple versions.

Quality has always been key with Koopman. He used German clocks, mostly from the aforementioned HAC company which merged into Junghans in 1930, before and during the war. (see photo clock 1941 with HAC clock) After the war supply of German clocks was interrupted  as well as reduced want for German made products in general. Koopman had to improvise and started using clocks from the Hungarian company Danuvia in 1948 (see picture). But this lasted not very long. Unsatisfied with their quality he also started retailing the beautiful clocks from the Swiss manufacturer Solara In 1949 (see picture 1946 clock  with original box) and later returning to German clocks by retailing Jerger clocks (HAC/Junghans was no longer available).(see picture Jerger with Koopman Stamp) These business relationships remained till  the sixties . The only addition Koopman did on the Solara’s and the Jerger’s was adding his signature warranty stamp.  Also he sold clocks to other Dutch retailers who added their tag on the clock like the Amsterdam based company J. Neef & Zn. A shop specialized in outdoor sports (scouting) and apparently chess paraphernalia. (see picture Koopman clock retailed by Neef)

Left a HAC from 1930’s, right a Koopman from 1941

In the fifties Koopman started with his own models (picture) and even got hold of a patent which improved the visibility of  when the flag was about to fall. In the sixties Koopman had earned his reputation on the international market. His clocks where widely used during international chess tournaments. If you look at the photos of the Hoogovens Chess tournament (Now TATA Steel Chess Tournament) you will see Koopman Clocks in abundant numbers being used,   Again the reliance, sturdiness and  good visibility made these clocks the preferred choice.

Quite a lot of Koopman clocks have patent number 65843 on the clock face.  This Dutch patent was submitted on the 22 of June at 24 hrs. by Dr. U.J. Rutgers living in Amsterdam. The patent was published on the 16th of January 1950 and became active starting the 15 of June 1950 and was valid for 20 years  (starting from the day of submitting, the patent would expire the 21^st of June 1964, given payment of annual duties). The patent seized to exist on the 16 of January 1958 when the patent holder did not pay the required duties. The patent describes a mechanism  on the flag together with a scale on the clock face to improve the visibility of the progress in time (to when the flag falls)

A 1948 Danuvia Chess Clock retailed by Koopman

Backside of the Danuvia Chess Clock with a Warranty Stamp by Koopman

Although the patent expired in 1958, a lot of clocks were produced with the patent number after that period. We can only speculate why this was done. It could be contractual obligations to the inventor or that Mr. Koopman, a prudent salesman, found it alluring to mention the patent or that more dials with the imprint were bought than sold after the patent ran out.  After all, the number on the clock face  was just a number and the scale was indeed an added bonus. In those days patent research without the help of the internet was much harder and time consuming. It certainly did give the clock more standing, having a special visible feature (a patent!) which other manufacturers did not offer.

One conundrum has to be mentioned. There are clocks with on the Dial a spelling error where Koopman is spelled KoopmaNN. We could theorize why this was done. I have found the error only on a special clock type where the second hand is not a normal second hand but a disk alternating between red and white.. I think, since Koopman sourced his clocks from Germany the spelling of his name was accidentally Germanized. Being a prudent salesman he carried on (and may be got a reduced price). The quality of the clocks was not affected.

Two Solora Chess Clock from 1949

The bottom of both with a warranty stamp on the left

Two Jerger retailed by Koopman, both from the early of sixties (1961/1962)

The left one with stamp, the right one with sticker (and stamp at the bottom)

Koopman clock with only the Patent number (retailed by NEEFS, see next picture)

Retailed by NEEF’s, a retailer from Amsterdam

After the death of Mr. Koopman in 1992, the company folded. The oldest reference found is a stamp on a clock dated December 10^th 1934. So, after almost 58 years of production, an era came to an end. Koopman clocks will always be remembered as reliable, solid and pleasing to the eye. World-wide, fans are collecting these clocks and  who can blame them? They look the part. For definitive proof see below for some nice examples.

Five Koopman chess clocks from 1950 -1960

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Dresden 1892 Chess Tournament: Tournament Data

• Name: Dresden 1892 Chess Tournament.
• Location: Hall of the Dresden Philharmonic – Germany.
• Start date: July 17, 1892.
• Finish date: July 30, 1892.
• Nº of players: 18 chess masters (retired S. Alapin due to illness).
• Winner: Siegbert TARRASCH.

In the photograph you can see some of the participants in this historic Dresden 1982 International Chess Tournament.

Standing from left to right: Heyde, Schmid, Joseph H. Blackburne, Josef Noa, Hoffer, Theodor von Scheve, Carl A. Walbrodt, Zwanzig.

Sitting from left to right: Rudolf J. Loman, Arnold Schottländer, Szymon A. Winawer, James Mason, Schallopp, Curt von Bardeleben, Siegbert Tarrasch, Jacques Mieses, Adolf Albin, Semyon Z. Alapin.  ( chess players are highlighted in bold).  

Source: Feenstra Kuiper (Amsterdam, 1964) | Photo: published by Hundert Jahre Schachturniere

Dresden 1892 Chess Tournament: Crosstables and Games.

Tarrasch started a priori as favorite given that he had been awarded the two previous major tournaments: Breslau 1889 and Manchester 1890 but started the tournament very imprecisely, with two draws and one defeat in the first four rounds.

Despite his 51 years old, Blackburne shared that stigma of favorite for his victory in Berlin 1881 and his second place in Manchester 1890 and so it seemed at first to prove it with 3 wins and a draw in his first 4 games, but as the tournament progressed his game became inaccurate and somewhat disappointing, losing defeats to players theoretically inferior to his level of play.

Highlight the performance of the young G. Makovetz of Budapest and M. Porges of Prague that ended with 8 games won, 5 draws and 3 losses.

Below is the crosstable of the Dresden 1892 Chess Tournament.

Dresden 1892 Chess Tournament – Final Standing

The next game represents the defeat of tournament champion Siegbert Tarrasch in round 4 against the Romanian master living then in Vienna: Adolf Albin, in my opinion it could well have been the most brilliant game of the tournament, a great example of a pure romantic style game.

The game chosen by the jury as a prize for brilliance and awarded to the English master Joseph Henry Blackburne is reproduced below, in my opinion it is more a consolation prize in a bad tournament.

The Dresden 1892 Chess Tournament has been covered extensively by the monographic book written in 1894 by the German player Paul Lipke who was the winner of the secondary tournament that was held simultaneously and that would serve as a classification for the Masters tournament that would take place in Kiel 1893 , and also the German player Jacques Mieses participant in the main tournament.

Finally the Dresden 1892 Chess Tournament was won by S. Tarrasch who won a first prize of 1000 marks. The second place was shared by the Hungarian player Gyula Makovetz, editor of the chess magazine ‘Budapesti Sakkszemle‘, and the Czech player Moritz Porges, resident in Prague, who shared equally 700 marks and 500 marks of the 2nd and 3rd prize. The third place with prizes of 350 marks (4th prize) and 150 marks (5th prize) was shared by the Austrian player Georg Marco who would subsequently win the Vienna 1895 chess tournament and become the editor of the well-known magazine ‘Wiener Schachzeitung‘ from 1898 to 1916 and the young German player Carl August Walbrodt of Berlin who would win along with Curt von Bardeleben the Kiel 1893 Chess Tournament belonging to the 8th Congress of the German Chess Association.
 

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Technical Characteristics: Solora ‘dials with logos’ Chess Clock

• Name. Solora Chess Clock.
• Model. Solora Dials – Logo Dials.
• Maker. Hendricus KOOPMAN.
• Date. 1948 – 1960.
• Country. Switzerland.
• Mechanism. upper push buttons.
• Material. light oak wood.
• Measurements. Length 5.28 in – Width 2.17 in – Height 3.54 in ( Height with Buttons 3.94 in).
• Weight. 58.20 oz.

Description: Solora ‘dials with logos’ Chess Clock

The Solora ‘dials with logos’ chess clock is a small mechanical clock manufactured by the renowned clockmaker H. Koopman between 1948 and 1960.

It is a very special clock, we would say that it is unique, in the sense that it assembles wristwatch machinery brought together on a block of light oak wood specially precut for a perfect fit.

The mechanism of both clocks takes place by means of a simple change lever with red pushbuttons that complement its refined design.

The result is a chess clock with precise and silent machinery, with a quiet ticking, an avant-garde aesthetic for the time and a small size that provides great advantages in terms of transport and storage.

The Dutch brand Koopman has been synonymous with quality since the beginning of the last century, its chess clocks have been mostly German machinery, at least until the outbreak of World War II. In those turbulent times the manufacture is stopped and Hendricus Koopman is forced to manufacture clocks with other machinery under brands such as the Hungarian ‘Danuvia’ or the ‘Solora’ Swiss, and sell them at retail. The Solora chess clock is therefore manufactured in the beautiful Swiss baroque city of Solothurn, from which the watch brand takes its name.

Presence in Chess Tournaments

The Solora chess clock has been used in numerous tournaments and chess championships especially in the 1960s, among the most important stand out:

• World Chess Championship Mikhail Tal vs. Mikhail Botvinnik. Moscow 1960.
• 1st Piatigorsky Chess Cup. Los Angeles, California 1963.
• 2nd Piatigorsky Chess Cup. Los Angeles, California 1966.
• World Chess Championship Boris Spassky vs. Tigran Petrosian. Moscow 1969.

Variations: Solora Chess Clock

SOLORA golden dials

SOLORA golden hands

SOLORA black hands

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Technical Characteristics: Yugoslavian Chess Clock

• Name. Yugoslavian Chess Clock.
• Model. Dark wood.
• Maker. Insa.
• Date. 1954.
• Country. Yugoslavia.
• Mechanism. Integrated Oscillating Bar.
• Material. Dark oak wood.
• Measurements. Length 9.65 in – Width 1.77 in – Height 4.80 in.
• Weight. 37.21 oz.

Description: Yugoslavian Chess Clock

The Yugoslavian INSA chess clock is a high quality analog mechanical clock manufactured by the Yugoslavian factory ‘INSA’ in the 1950s.

It is a chess clock assembled in a robust oak type heavy weight wooden casing. He assembles Yugoslav-made clocks based on mechanisms and technology of Soviet influence. It must be remembered that despite the political split between Josif Tito and Iosif Stalin shortly after the end of World War II, the factories of Communist-influenced countries still depended on Soviet technology in terms of component supply. It incorporates an oscillating bar as a push button, perfectly integrated in the design of the chess clock.

The Yugoslavian factory Insa was founded in 1950 in Zemun, an industrial area on the outskirts of Belgrade, now Serbia. At first they manufactured clocks and alarm clocks, later also chess clocks. This chess clock that I am showing you is one of the first models. Nowadays the factory continues to operate as a major producer of clocks and watchmaking mechanisms, as well as in a producer of water meters and many other products in the field of measurement technology and mechanics.

This chess clock in particular belonged to the Serbian chess master IM Nikola Karaklajić who was junior Yugoslav champion in 1945 and Yugoslav chess champion in 1955. He played as the 4th board at the Moscow Olympiad in 1956 where the Yugoslav team won a meritorious silver medal. He also contributed directly to the development of the Belgrade gambit created in the historic Chess Club of Belgrade in 1944 by Mihajlo Trajkovic.

The picture shows the late Serbian chess master Nikola Karaklajić during an international tournament representing his country.

Presence in Chess Tournaments

The Yugoslavian Insa chess clock has very possibly been used in tournaments throughout the former Yugoslavia in the 1950s and 1960s, although I have not yet found corroborating photographs.

Variations: Yugoslavian Chess Clock

The varieties of Insa chess clocks after this model have no special interest, the one from the 1970s was built entirely in plastic casing and the one from the 1980s, which the Insa factory still has in its catalog, is a model very basic made in lightweight solid wood.

Yugoslavian Chess Clock INSA 1970s

Yugoslavian Chess Clock INSA 1980s

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Technical Characteristics: ‘Bohemia’ Chess Clock

• Name. ‘Bohemia’ Chess Clock.
• Model. Wooden sides.
• Maker. Bohemia.
• Date. 1960.
• Country. Germany.
• Mechanism. Top pushbuttons.
• Material. Plastic – Wooden side sheets.
• Measurements. Length 6.30 in – Width 2.36 in – Height 4.33 in.
• Weight. 14.04 oz.

Description: ‘Bohemia’ Chess Clock

The Bohemia chess clock is a basic mechanical clock manufactured by the German company ‘Bohemia’ in the 1960s.

The chess clock is assembled with a plastic casing, wooden sheet supports and oversized push buttons also made of wood. Inside he assembles clocks of German machinery. In the back side, there is a sign on the plastic itself, which reads ‘West Germany’, remember the unification of the two Germanies, Western and Eastern, took place on October 3, 1990.

It is a pretty basic clock but it works correctly. The design is quite careful to date from the 1960’s. The chess clock is stable and robust despite being made of plastic, however, the push buttons are extremely strident, I didn’t imagine a tournament with 100 clocks listening to the unpleasant ‘click-clack’ that sounds when pressing each play. On the other hand, the ‘ticking’ of the clocks in operation is equally noisy, it is something that would overcome the patience of the most concentrated of our fellow chess players.

The ‘Bohemia’ company was dedicated to manufacture boards and pieces of chess with a design and German aesthetic with some success. We suppose that to complete its catalog they included this clock of own manufacture, to a reduced price and of quality more than questionable.

Presence in Chess Tournaments

The Bohemia chess clock has not been used in tournaments, its manufacture and design was intended for a particular exclusive use.

Variations: ‘Bohemia’ Chess Clock

There is a version made only in plastic, which, given its low relevance, we do not consider including it in the catalog.
 

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Fattorini & Sons without logo. Source: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/

Technical Characteristics: Fattorini & Sons Chess Clock

• Name. Fattorini & Sons Chess Clock.
• Model. Fattorini White Dials – without logo.
• Maker. Fattorini & Sons – Bradford.
• Date. 1887 – 1904.
• Country. United Kingdom.
• Mechanism. Pendulum mechanism.
• Material.Metal – wrought iron base.
• Measurements. Length 7.48 in – Width 5.12 in – Height 6.10 in.
• Weight. Unknown.

Description: Fattorini & Sons Chess Clock

The Fattorini & Sons chess clock is a pendular mechanical clock made by the watchmaking company Fattorini & Sons of Bradford, England between 1887 and 1904.

The chess clock is formed by a wrought iron rectangular base of great weight that gives stability to the set, where the brand of the manufacturer company ‘Fattorini & Sons, Bradford’ is printed. Above the base there is a rocker also made of wrought iron and on the rocker stand two twin clocks made of chromed metal. In this particular model, the clocks mount dials that include the Fattorini brand, the logo and some aesthetic Roman numerals. I noticed that it does not incorporate flags, due to they were not invented until 1889 by Hadebeëm Meijer, secretary of the Dutch Chess Federation.

Below the clocks pendulums can be seen that act as a mechanism for driving both clocks. In such a way that the clock that appears horizontally will be the one that is in operation thanks to the movement of its pendulum, when the player made his move he would tilt his clock that stopped and simultaneously that of the opponent was placed horizontally, starting to work thanks to your pendulum.

The Fattorini & sons chess clock began on sale in 1887, as you can see in an advertisement published in the British chess magazine ‘British Chess Magazine’ of 1897 (Volume XVII, No. 199), in which you can read: “These clocks are used in all the Masters’ International and National Tournaments, North versus South of England, and all important County and Club matches.”


The company Fattorini & Sons was a jewelry business established by a family of Italian immigrants headed by Antonio Fattorini. They arrived in the British city of Leeds, in Yorkshire, England in 1827. Antonio established a series of outlets specialized in jewelry, watches and other luxury items. At the beginning of the 19th century, Antonio Fattorini opened a store in Harrogate in 1831 to take advantage of seasonal trade. Today, this business is owned by the descendants of the founders. In the 1850s he opened a store in Bradford with two of his sons. In 1883 the company made the first chess clock comprising two linked pendulum clocks, in 1887 they manufactured this pendulum clock model.

Presence in Chess Tournaments

The chess clock Fattorini & sons has been used in tournaments and chess championships in the United Kingdom especially in the 1890s, we have no photographic record of any of them, if you have any images, we would be grateful if you would send them using the Contact Form.

Variations: Fattorini & Sons Chess Clock

Fattorini & Sons with logo

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Technical Characteristics: Koopman Chess Clock 1914

• Name. Koopman Chess Clock.
• Model. Hidden Dials.
• Maker. Hendricus KOOPMAN.
• Date. 1936.
• Country. Netherlands.
• Mechanism. Top pushbuttons.
• Material. Dark brown wood.
• Measurements. Length 11.02 in – Width 2.95 in – Height 6.30 in (Height with Push button 7.09 in).
• Weight. 30.34 oz.

Description: Koopman Chess Clock 1914

It is a medium size Dutch chess clock from the beginning of the past century. By the rear inscription ‘HK 1914’, everything indicates that it is one of the first chess clocks manufactured by the Koopman family.

it uses German-made alarm clocks.

The activation of this chess clock is by means of ‘Top Vertical Buttons’ located on both sides of the clock, a button for each player. Each button stops the clock and activates the opposite clock..

As purely decorative feature, each clock has a label in the shape of ‘Chess Board’ that, on the one hand, performs a decorative function and on the other hand covers the small superior Dial, which is rendered unusable for use in Chess games.

It is convenient to remember that the clocks that are normally used for the manufacture of Chess Clocks, are clocks that were originally designed for use as an alarm clock. Therefore, in a large number of chess clocks, it is used to place a label to cover the dials that are not used by the name of the manufacturer, the name of a chess club or as in this case, with a chess motive.

The chess clock does not present any indication of a chess club or chess tournament, so it is assumed to have had a particular use.

Presence in Chess Tournaments

We do not have photographic evidence of its use in any tournament, if you have any image, we would be grateful if you send it using the contact form..

Variations: Koopman Chess Clock 1914

KOOPMAN chess clock 1936

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Technical Characteristics: Koopman Chess Clock 1936

• Name. Koopman Chess Clock.
• Model. Hidden Dials.
• Maker. Hendricus KOOPMAN.
• Date. 1936.
• Country. Netherlands.
• Mechanism. Top pushbuttons.
• Material. Light brown wood.
• Measurements. Length 11.02 in – Width 2.76 in – Height 6.69 in (Height with Push button 7.09 in).
• Weight. 39.15 oz.

Description: Koopman Chess Clock 1936

It is a large Dutch chess clock, manufactured in 1936. The design of the wooden case was used by the manufacturer Koopman in the early years of the 20th century.

it uses German-made alarm clocks.

The activation of this chess clock is through “Vertical top buttons” located on both sides of the clock, a button for each player. Each button stops the clock and activates the opposite clock. The internal mechanism, which joins both buttons, is the mechanism initially used by the chess clocks of this manufacturer. In 1937, he changed the system and maintained it until the 1990s.

In the chess clock collection, we have another Koopman chess clock 1914 very similar, which differs in the assembly of different clocks. There is a difference of 30 years between the two clocks. From an aesthetic point of view, the wood is similar, but this one has a greater weight, … perhaps only by the use of different woods in the box.

Another interesting detail on the clock, is an inscription on the back cover, ‘BOOGAARD’ Hilversum. It seems to be the name of the former owner and the Dutch city of Hilversum.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that the dials that are not used have been covered with a label, which symbolizes a chess board. Another detail coinciding with the Koopman chess clock 1914.

Presence in Chess Tournaments

We do not have photographic evidence of its use in any tournament, if you have any image, we would be grateful if you send it using the contact form..

Variations: Koopman Chess Clock 1936

KOOPMAN chess clock 1914

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Fattorini & Sons with logo. Source: https://www.lukehoney.co.uk/

Technical Characteristics: Fattorini & Sons Chess Clock

• Name. Fattorini & Sons Chess Clock.
• Model. Fattorini Dials – with logo.
• Maker. Fattorini & Sons – Bradford.
• Date. 1887 – 1904.
• Country. United Kingdom.
• Mechanism. Pendulum mechanism.
• Material.Metal – wrought iron base.
• Measurements. Length 7.48 in – Width 5.12 in – Height 6.10 in.
• Weight. Unknown.

Description: Fattorini & Sons Chess Clock

The Fattorini & Sons chess clock is a pendular mechanical clock made by the watchmaking company Fattorini & Sons of Bradford, England between 1887 and 1904.

The chess clock is formed by a wrought iron rectangular base of great weight that gives stability to the set, where the brand of the manufacturer company ‘Fattorini & Sons, Bradford’ is printed. Above the base there is a rocker also made of wrought iron and on the rocker stand two twin clocks made of chromed metal. In this particular model, the clocks mount dials that include the Fattorini brand, the logo and some aesthetic Roman numerals. I noticed that it does not incorporate flags, due to they were not invented until 1889 by Hadebeëm Meijer, secretary of the Dutch Chess Federation.

Below the clocks pendulums can be seen that act as a mechanism for driving both clocks. In such a way that the clock that appears horizontally will be the one that is in operation thanks to the movement of its pendulum, when the player made his move he would tilt his clock that stopped and simultaneously that of the opponent was placed horizontally, starting to work thanks to your pendulum.

The Fattorini & sons chess clock began on sale in 1887, as you can see in an advertisement published in the British chess magazine ‘British Chess Magazine’ of 1897 (Volume XVII, No. 199), in which you can read: “These clocks are used in all the Masters’ International and National Tournaments, North versus South of England, and all important County and Club matches.”


The company Fattorini & Sons was a jewelry business established by a family of Italian immigrants headed by Antonio Fattorini. They arrived in the British city of Leeds, in Yorkshire, England in 1827. Antonio established a series of outlets specialized in jewelry, watches and other luxury items. At the beginning of the 19th century, Antonio Fattorini opened a store in Harrogate in 1831 to take advantage of seasonal trade. Today, this business is owned by the descendants of the founders. In the 1850s he opened a store in Bradford with two of his sons. In 1883 the company made the first chess clock comprising two linked pendulum clocks, in 1887 they manufactured this pendulum clock model.

Presence in Chess Tournaments

The chess clock Fattorini & sons has been used in tournaments and chess championships in the United Kingdom especially in the 1890s, we have no photographic record of any of them, if you have any images, we would be grateful if you would send them using the Contact Form.

Variations: Fattorini & Sons Chess Clock

Fattorini & Sons without logo

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Technical Characteristics: Solora ‘golden hands’ Chess Clock

• Name. Solora Chess Clock.
• Model. Solora Dials – Golden Hands.
• Maker. Hendricus KOOPMAN.
• Date. 1948 – 1960.
• Country. Switzerland.
• Mechanism. upper push buttons.
• Material. light oak wood.
• Measurements. Length 5.28 in – Width 2.17 in – Height 3.54 in ( Height with Buttons 3.94 in).
• Weight. 58.20 oz.

Description: Solora ‘golden hands’ Chess Clock

The Solora ‘golden hands’ chess clock is a small mechanical clock manufactured by the renowned clockmaker H. Koopman between 1948 and 1960.

It is a very special clock, we would say that it is unique, in the sense that it assembles wristwatch machinery brought together on a block of light oak wood specially precut for a perfect fit.

The mechanism of both clocks takes place by means of a simple change lever with red pushbuttons that complement its refined design.

The result is a chess clock with precise and silent machinery, with a quiet ticking, an avant-garde aesthetic for the time and a small size that provides great advantages in terms of transport and storage.

The Dutch brand Koopman has been synonymous with quality since the beginning of the last century, its chess clocks have been mostly German machinery, at least until the outbreak of World War II. In those turbulent times the manufacture is stopped and Hendricus Koopman is forced to manufacture clocks with other machinery under brands such as the Hungarian ‘Danuvia’ or the ‘Solora’ Swiss, and sell them at retail. The Solora chess clock is therefore manufactured in the beautiful Swiss baroque city of Solothurn, from which the watch brand takes its name.

Presence in Chess Tournaments

The Solora chess clock has been used in numerous tournaments and chess championships especially in the 1960s, among the most important stand out:

• World Chess Championship Mikhail Tal vs. Mikhail Botvinnik. Moscow 1960.
• 1st Piatigorsky Chess Cup. Los Angeles, California 1963.
• 2nd Piatigorsky Chess Cup. Los Angeles, California 1966.
• World Chess Championship Boris Spassky vs. Tigran Petrosian. Moscow 1969.

Variations: Solora Chess Clock

SOLORA golden dials

SOLORA black hands

SOLORA dials with logos

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Technical Characteristics: Antique Dutch Chess Clock

• Name. Dutch Chess Clock.
• Model. Handcrafted.
• Maker. ‘De Volharding’ Watchmaker, G.Happé (Holland).
• Date. 1900 – 1920.
• Country. Netherlands.
• Mechanism. Upper sliding bar.
• Material. Dark oak wood.
• Measurements. Length 12.20 in (the bar and the box have the same length)- Width 4.13 in – Height 6.50 in.
• Weight. 45.15 oz.

Description: Antique Dutch Chess Clock

We have a Dutch Chess Clock from the beginning of the century, it was made in the period 1900-1920. It has large dimensions and a weight that exceeds 35 ounces.

Many Dutch chess clocks from the early century use the typical sliding bar in the upper area, which runs through the clock case throughout its length. Each player slides the wooden bar, causing the own clock to stop and activate the opposite clock.

The clocks that it assembles are of German origin, with some very attractive Dials, showing the digits with Roman Numerals.

Analyzing the clock in detail, it is worth mentioning the label pasted on the Dial, which shows ‘De Volharding’ Watchmaker G.HAPPÉ. Repairs 1st Class’ … could indicate the place of manufacture. This clock store that also manufactured musical instruments, could have mounted the Dutch Chess Clock.

At that time, the chess clocks were quite handmade and were not manufactured as mass production, it was very common to be manufactured by order and not in large quantities.

Presence in Chess Tournaments

It is a chess clock with few manufactured units, so its use in a great Tournament is unknown.

Variations: Antique Dutch Chess Clock

Unknown.
 

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Technical Characteristics: Solora ‘golden dials’ Chess Clock

• Name. Solora Chess Clock.
• Model. Solora Dials – Golden Dials.
• Maker. Hendricus KOOPMAN.
• Date. 1948 – 1960.
• Country. Switzerland.
• Mechanism. upper push buttons.
• Material. light oak wood.
• Measurements. Length 5.28 in – Width 2.17 in – Height 3.54 in ( Height with Buttons 3.94 in).
• Weight. 58.20 oz.

Description: Solora ‘golden dials’ Chess Clock

The Solora ‘golden dials’ chess clock is a small mechanical clock manufactured by the renowned clockmaker H. Koopman between 1948 and 1960.

It is a very special clock, we would say that it is unique, in the sense that it assembles wristwatch machinery brought together on a block of light oak wood specially precut for a perfect fit.

The mechanism of both clocks takes place by means of a simple change lever with red pushbuttons that complement its refined design.

The result is a chess clock with precise and silent machinery, with a quiet ticking, an avant-garde aesthetic for the time and a small size that provides great advantages in terms of transport and storage.

The Dutch brand Koopman has been synonymous with quality since the beginning of the last century, its chess clocks have been mostly German machinery, at least until the outbreak of World War II. In those turbulent times the manufacture is stopped and Hendricus Koopman is forced to manufacture clocks with other machinery under brands such as the Hungarian ‘Danuvia’ or the ‘Solora’ Swiss, and sell them at retail. The Solora chess clock is therefore manufactured in the beautiful Swiss baroque city of Solothurn, from which the watch brand takes its name.

Presence in Chess Tournaments

The Solora chess clock has been used in numerous tournaments and chess championships especially in the 1960s, among the most important stand out:

• World Chess Championship Mikhail Tal vs. Mikhail Botvinnik. Moscow 1960.
• 1st Piatigorsky Chess Cup. Los Angeles, California 1963.
• 2nd Piatigorsky Chess Cup. Los Angeles, California 1966.
• World Chess Championship Boris Spassky vs. Tigran Petrosian. Moscow 1969.

Variations: Solora Chess Clock

SOLORA black hands

SOLORA golden hands

SOLORA dials with logos

The post Solora ‘golden dials’ Chess Clock appeared first on Vintage Chess Clocks.

Technical Characteristics: ‘Gustaf Nyholm’ Chess Clock

• Name. ‘Gustaf Nyholm’ Chess Clock.
• Model. Without flags – Upper second hands.
• Maker. Unknown.
• Date. 1935.
• Country. Sweden.
• Mechanism. Upper slide bar.
• Material. Light wood.
• Measurements. Length 10.24 in – Width 2.95 in – Height 5.12 in ( Height with Buttons & Handle 5.51 in).
• Weight. 31.04 oz.

Description: ‘Gustaf Nyholm’ Chess Clock

The ‘Gustaf NYHOLM’ chess clock is a mechanical clock of medium dimensions manufactured in 1935 by the Unknown Swedish manufacturer.

This chess clock model takes its name from the first Swedish Champion, Gustaf Nyholm who won two matches against winners of national tournaments: Berndtsson in Göteborg and Löwenborg in Stockholm in 1917.

It uses German machinery but there are no identification marks of the mechanisms.

The activation of each clock is done by a decorative slide bar at the top of the chess clock. This type of element is typical of Swedish designer chess clocks.

To activate each clock, the chess player must slide the bar so that it deactivates its clock and automatically activates the clock of the opposing player.

This particular chess clock belonged to Johan Ahlfeldt of Satsjöbaden (Sweden), inheritance of his grandfather (He died in 2006 at 96 years of age) who won it as a prize in a tournament organized by the local newspaper, DAGENS NYHETER IN 1935.

Presence in Chess Tournaments

The ‘Gustaf NYHOLM’ chess clock has been used in numerous Swedish chess tournaments and championships, especially in the 1940s. Below are links to some examples:

• Chess tournament organized by ‘Wasa Schackklubb’. Upsala, Sweden 1943.
• Chess tournament organized by ‘Wasa Schackklubb’. Upsala, Sweden 1944.
• Chess tournament organized by ‘Wasa Schackklubb’. Upsala, Sweden 1945.

Variations: ‘Gustaf Nyholm’ Chess Clock

Unknown.
 

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Although in relation to chess, it is famous for at least two pieces of information:

First, to be the hometown of the Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman, author of the film “The Seventh Seal” a cult film for every self-respecting chess player, I refer you to a review written by myself ‘ the seventh seal ‘.

Second, for being located in this wonderful city one of the oldest chess clubs in Sweden, the ‘ Wasa Schackklubb‘ which was founded in 1917, this year in which I write the article, commemorates its 100th anniversary of existence.

Simultaneous chess exhibition by Rudolf Spielmann in Upsala 1941

The ‘Wasa Schackklubb’ has always been a very active club since its birth in terms of chess events – list of simultaneous celebrations. Already in his inauguration he went to the strongest Swedish chess player of the era Gustav Nyholm on January 13, 1917 to perform a simultaneous over 46 tables with a result of 17 games won, 4 tables and 14 losses.

During its existence, Upsala has played at top level chess players such as: Frank Marshall, Gustaf Nyholm, Rudolf Spielmann, Aaron Nimzowitsch, Efim Bogoljubov, Gideon Ståhlberg, Paul Keres, Salo Flohr, Tigran Petrosjan and Ulf Andersson, among many others.

On November 28, 1941, chess simultanies were held by the great master Rudolf Spielmann, the sacrificial artist, the last defending knight of the king’s gambit, a chess giant who passed a delicate situation as a refugee since 1938 in Stockholm , Sweden. On the occasion of the dawn of Nazism, Austrian Jewish Rudolf Spielman had to flee his hometown of Vienna, after the annexation of Austria by Germany in March 1938, after a short stay in Prague where all his belongings were confiscated, he ended up looking asylum in one of the few safe havens in Europe – Sweden -. The result of the simultaneous in Upsala 1941, on 46 boards was 28 won, 12 tables and 6 defeats. A little less than a year later, on August 20, 1942, he died in Stockholm in the greatest poverty, a sad end for a great chess player. 

Source: https://digitaltmuseum.se/ | Photo: Sandberg, Paul

Chess tournaments in Upsala 1943, 1944 and 1945

In the ‘Wasa Schackklubb’ where these photographs, already historical, were taken, numerous chess tournaments were also held. We are especially interested in these, because in the different photographs you can see that the clocks used by the different chess players are chess clocks ‘Gustaf Nyholm’.

Chess Tournament Upsala 1943  Source: https://digitaltmuseum.se/ | Photo: Sandberg, Paul

Chess Tournament Upsala 1943  Source: https://digitaltmuseum.se/ | Photo: Sandberg, Paul

The chess clocks ‘Gustaf Nylhom’ began to be manufactured in the 1930s until the outbreak of World War II, assembling machinery of German origin but with a purely Swedish aesthetic and design.

Chess Tournament Upsala 1944  Source: https://digitaltmuseum.se/ | Photo: Sandberg, Paul

Chess Tournament Upsala 1944  Source: https://digitaltmuseum.se/ | Photo: Sandberg, Paul

The chess tournaments and different chess events in Sweden during the 1940s were played with this type of clocks, precursors of other models that conserve this same form and design. The sliding bar was very appropriate for the type of games that were held then, in which the speed of the plays was not usual.

Chess Tournament Upsala 1945  Source: https://digitaltmuseum.se/ | Photo: Sandberg, Paul

Chess Tournament Upsala 1945  Source: https://digitaltmuseum.se/ | Photo: Sandberg, Paul

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Technical Characteristics: Antique Argentine Chess Clock

• Name. Argentine Chess Clock.
• Model. Handcrafted.
• Maker. ‘CASA ALARI’ Watchmaker (Buenos Aires).
• Date. 1932.
• Country. Argentina.
• Mechanism. Independent nut mechanism.
• Material. Oak wood.
• Measurements. Length 10.43 in – Width 4.53 in – Height 5.91 in ( Height with Buttons & Handle 7.09 in).
• Weight. 63.85 oz.

Description: Antique Argentine Chess Clock

The Argentine chess clock is a large-scale mechanical clock manufactured in 1932 by the ‘CASA ALARI’ Watchmaker, Colon 1146 Buenos Aires.

It uses JUNGHANS WURTTEMBERG clocks with references A32 and B32.

The most particular feature of this Argentine chess clock is the system of activation by turning of nuts independently.

Each player must activate the mechanism of their clock by turning the Nut to activate it and turn it in the opposite direction when performing the movement to deactivate it. In this case the actions of both players are independent and therefore you need to activate the clock and deactivate it during the time you use for each play.

Some data appear in this old Argentine chess clock: the clock labels covering the small upper dials of each clock and a note written on the wooden box by the Carpenter where it indicates that 20 boxes were manufactured. All this, makes us suppose that this Argentine chess clock was commissioned by some Chess Club, possibly the Villa Crespo Chess Club of Buenos Aires and that the amount of chess clocks manufactured was 20 units. This chess clock has the Number 12 painted.

Presence in Chess Tournaments

It is a chess clock with few manufactured units, so its use in a great Tournament is unknown.

Variations: Antique Argentine Chess Clock

Unknown.
 

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Technical Characteristics: Solora Chess Clock

• Name. Solora Chess Clock.
• Model. Solora Dials – Black Hands.
• Maker. Hendricus KOOPMAN.
• Date. 1948-1960.
• Country. Switzerland.
• Mechanism. upper push buttons.
• Material. light oak wood.
• Measurements. Length 5.28 in – Width 2.17 in – Height 3.54 in ( Height with Buttons 3.94 in).
• Weight. 58.20 oz.

Description: Solora Chess Clock

The Solora chess clock is a small mechanical clock manufactured by the renowned clockmaker H. Koopman between 1948 and 1960.

It is a very special clock, we would say that it is unique, in the sense that it assembles wristwatch machinery brought together on a block of light oak wood specially precut for a perfect fit.

The mechanism of both clocks takes place by means of a simple change lever with red pushbuttons that complement its refined design.

The result is a chess clock with precise and silent machinery, with a quiet ticking, an avant-garde aesthetic for the time and a small size that provides great advantages in terms of transport and storage.

The Dutch brand Koopman has been synonymous with quality since the beginning of the last century, its chess clocks have been mostly German machinery, at least until the outbreak of World War II. In those turbulent times the manufacture is stopped and Hendricus Koopman is forced to manufacture clocks with other machinery under brands such as the Hungarian ‘Danuvia’ or the ‘Solora’ Swiss, and sell them at retail. The Solora chess clock is therefore manufactured in the beautiful Swiss baroque city of Solothurn, from which the watch brand takes its name.

Presence in Chess Tournaments

The Solora chess clock has been used in numerous tournaments and chess championships especially in the 1960s, among the most important stand out:

• World Chess Championship Mikhail Tal vs. Mikhail Botvinnik. Moscow 1960.
• 1st Piatigorsky Chess Cup. Los Angeles, California 1963.
• 2nd Piatigorsky Chess Cup. Los Angeles, California 1966.
• World Chess Championship Boris Spassky vs. Tigran Petrosian. Moscow 1969.

Variations: Solora Chess Clock

SOLORA golden dials

SOLORA golden hands

SOLORA dials with logos

The post Solora Chess Clock appeared first on Vintage Chess Clocks.