🔧 Why We Love Vintage Chess Clocks (and Why They Belong at ChessboArt)
It started by accident — or maybe by instinct. In my old chess club, I found a forgotten crate of damaged, dusty clocks: Ruhla Garde, JUNGHANS, BHB...
Most didn’t work. Some were heading to the trash.
I took a few home. That very evening, I got one ticking again — and I was hooked. Then came more repairs, a video, and eventually… friends bringing their clocks, too.
Today, vintage clocks are part of ChessboArt’s DNA. We treat them as:
- Functional pieces for our wooden chessboards
- Tributes to craftsmanship and design
- A way to offer something more accessible — with soul
🔧 Restoration and Warranty
Some clocks just need a little cleaning and tuning. Others require the hand of a master watchmaker. In some cases, we can offer a 2-year warranty — but only if the clock underwent a full restoration and mechanical service.
Otherwise, we offer them as fully working, checked, and one-of-a-kind — but without warranty. On request, we can provide professional servicing.
⏱ What You’ll Find in Our Collection:
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Ruhla Garde (DDR) – minimalist and reliable wooden clocks
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Koopman (Netherlands) – high-quality timers, often stamped with warranty dates from 50+ years ago
- Jantar (USSR) – bold bakelite models, including the one featured in The Queen’s Gambit
- Junghans (Germany) – classic German engineering in vintage form
- BHB – rare tournament clocks from Western Europe
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MOM (Hungary) – among the most beautiful, though not the most robust mechanically
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ChessboArt Wall Clock – our own wall-mounted tribute to vintage chess design
♻️ Why Vintage Over New?
We don’t do plastic. We don’t do disposable. These clocks are crafted, not manufactured. They tick with stories — not just springs.
🎉 Coming Soon: RETRO Chess Tournament
We're planning a special event: a real over-the-board tournament using classic wooden clocks and handmade boards. No apps. No beeps. Just focus, silence, and soul.
→ Browse all our restored chess clocks