Hey, friends! It looks like it's time for another blog!

But how would I know that? Elementary, my dear Watson, or whatever your name is. In 2025, we have sophisticated equipment called clocks, which allow us to keep track of time. Therefore, I know precisely when to release another post. But do you think this marvelous technological apparatus serves only this purpose?

Of course not! They can also be used to notify us when the cake is ready to be taken out of the oven, when the next airplane is approaching to land, when we should leave the house to get to work, or when we have just lost a chess game because we spent too much time thinking.

The ones used for this last task are called chess clocks. Over the years, they have evolved from simple, archaic timers to advanced digital devices of the highest standard. Today, I invite you to explore their history with me.

As in my text, "A Brief Dive Into The History Of Chess", we will do it through the eyes of a fictional character who narrates his journey and adventures, sharing everything with us. I hope you like this format!

Time to begin!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 - The Pre-Clock Era

2 - The Mechanical Chess Clock

3 - Evolution of Mechanical Clocks

4 - Digital Clocks

5 - Modern Chess Clocks

Conclusion

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1 - The Pre-Clock Era

Dear reader,

I would like to begin this account by introducing myself. My name is Toby Tickson, a small yet sturdy brass cogwheel. I was born in Manchester, UK, in the heat of a forge at an industrial components manufacturer. At the time, I was just a young piece of metal, dreaming of being part of the textile or transportation revolutions that were taking place. Little did I know that I would spend my life keeping others from losing theirs - not lives, but games.

My first job was inside a noisy sewing machine. I loved being there, spinning and slowing down as needed, rotating clockwise and counterclockwise. What a thrill it was to feel the pulse of the Industrial Revolution turning through my teeth! I was used for 12 hours a day. It was exhausting, sure, but I am not like these so-called humans who operated me. I am strong and tough, designed to withstand time, weather, and wear.

During the breaks, the factory workers liked to spend time drinking coffee, reading books, taking a nap, or gossiping. Nothing too special. Until one day that changed everything.

November 12, 1880. Despite being only two years old, I remember it perfectly. Two colleagues sat at a table in front of me and decided to spend their lunch break playing a game called chess. When I watched them play, it was love at first sight! Chess was so beautiful, simple, yet complex and strategic. Besides, it could be played by men, women, children, and the elderly.

And what about those pieces? Oh my God! Their design was so amazing, and the medieval references only made them better. It took me a lot of observation to understand all the rules, but that is an easy task once you are as obsessed as I was. Suddenly, I had a new passion for life.

But there was a setback. Damn, this was so slow! One game could take days because they had to go back to work. Even playing straight could take hours. Can you believe it had no time restrictions? This led to many delays and adjournments, with players sometimes taking too long to make a single move.

This problem also caused issues during tournaments. Organizers often needed to get creative to keep things on schedule. I loved chess, but sometimes wished for more dynamism and more emotions. Maybe something like... time control?

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2 - The Mechanical Chess Clock

A few years later, in 1883, the factory closed, and I lost my job. The machine I worked inside was sold to a young woman named Emily Sarah Wilson. My biggest sadness, however, was not having to leave the factory, but rather losing the awesome routine of watching chess games.

I still had no idea that this would be the beginning of the golden age of my existence. It didn't take me long to discover that Emily's husband, Mr. Thomas Bright Wilson, a member of the Manchester Chess Club, was about to invent the next object in which I would be used.

He dismantled the sewing machine and reused some of its components, including me, to make the first mechanical chess clock in history. The device had two clocks mounted side by side with a seesaw-like beam that indicated who was next to play. It was simple yet ingenious.

As you can imagine, I was so overjoyed to learn that I had a new job and would play a direct role in the revolution of my favorite game. That was the happiest day of my life up to that point!

I was then brought to be presented at the prestigious London Chess Tournament in 1883, which was the first competition to use mechanical chess clocks. Among the players were many legends like Wilhelm Steinitz, Johannes Zukertort, and Mikhail Chigorin. There was a lot of pressure on me to work properly in front of some of the greatest players in history, but everything went well.

I perfectly remember the clunk of the levers, the click of the moves, and the hush of the spectators. Everything about that event was special to me. And the best part? I was the center of attention! People were watching not only the players' moves but also how much time was left, creating a tense atmosphere. Each time I turned a few centimeters, I felt excitement and anticipation.

The idea was an almost instant success. From that moment on, many more chess clocks were built throughout Europe, employed by amateurs and professionals at various clubs and tournaments. I used to call them my younger brothers, and the family kept growing.

For the next few years, they were no longer just a curious invention, but an essential element of chess. As for me? I even worked at the first official World Championship in 1886. What an honor!

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3 - Evolution of Mechanical Clocks

Little did we know, our gears were just beginning to turn. Time would not stop, nor would we. The 20th century arrived, bringing with it our bright future and the peak of my happy life.

It began with small developments. After Thomas' device had aged, I was reassembled into a curious analog clock with flags to indicate time expiration. This small metal component would fall when the minute hand passed 12, signaling a time loss. I learned to dread the moment the flag trembled, that sharp breath before defeat. A mix of emotions washed over my teeth every time it happened.

Such innovation was also practical for players and arbiters, so it soon became standard. Obviously, my brothers continued to come when famous brands like BHB, Garde, and Jerger became known for their mechanical chess clocks.

Over the next few decades, I embarked on a busy yet exciting journey through time. I was reused, passed down, lost, and found, being employed in various chess clocks throughout history. I turned on my own axis countless times, but I also spun through the ages, always proud of my role in that amazing game.

As the popularity of rapid and blitz games grew, so did our importance. Every chess corner around the world would have a device for those exciting battles. Kings and queens could be replaced with other small objects. But clocks? Indispensable. Hands grew frantic. The games were shorter, faster, and more dynamic. But oh, how alive I felt!

I became a silent observer of countless matches during that century, from classical battles to café blitzes, from friendly games to world championships. Can you believe that little Toby Tickson from Manchester would go so far in life?

But the peak never lasts forever. As the century drew to a close, mechanical clocks began to become obsolete. Many people still liked them, of course, but the new generation preferred digital clocks, invented in 1973 by Bruce Cheney. Then came fear: Would I still have a place in this new technology?

In 1985, the same year that Kasparov became world champion, the clock I had been inside was dismantled due to disuse. As for me, I was placed in a box of secondhand components that could still be useful. Then, they threw me in a container and put me on a ship, tucked away in darkness, unsure of what lay ahead. Destination: New Zealand.

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4 - Digital Clocks

Several weeks later, my container was discharged at the small harbour of a city called Dunedin, a name as unfamiliar as my new future. I wondered what dangers might be waiting for me on the other side of the world and what would happen to me. But my only real worry at that moment was: “Do they play chess here? Please tell me they do!"

The box containing me and some other old metal pieces was carried to a small shop. My situation was not ideal, but I was relieved to see some digital chess clocks on the shelf next to me. Their greater precision, cutting-edge technology, and programmable time controls made me a little envious.

I learned that they no longer used cogwheels, but instead relied on electronic components such as quartz crystal oscillators and microchips for accurate timekeeping. They could also add amazing features to the game, like delay and increment. Digital clocks soon became widespread, especially in tournaments.

What about the old analog clocks? They were gathering dust in the warehouse. Sigh... I was pure garbage. Still, I anxiously awaited my future... until fate finally smiled on me.

On a cold winter's day, a man in his forties came into the shop and bought the box that I was in. He didn't know why himself; he just thought it could be useful. Would I be condemned to become a mere paperweight?

One month later, luck struck again when I discovered that he loved chess too! When his old clock suddenly stopped working, he opened it up, investigated, and found a small broken cog that needed replacing. I was not designed for that model, but I was there and good enough. After travelling halfway around the world, I ended up inside a chess clock once more!

For years, the man continued to use me. Not very often, to be honest, but I could still feel the pleasure of working sporadically on chess games at Marlow Park. It was strange being the only old-fashioned clock among my peers on the neighboring tables. However, I noticed that they didn't look at me with arrogance or contempt, but with respect.

Almost twenty years went by like that. The routine wasn’t bad for someone as tired as me. There was no pressure and no continuous work for hours on end, just peace. I thought nothing would change.

But it did in 2004.

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5 - Modern Chess Clocks

One sunny summer day that year, my owner, now in his sixties, decided to teach his seven-year-old granddaughter how to play chess. There I was, making sure the little girl would learn not only how the pieces move but also how to think quickly. She was passionate, curious, and really enjoyed playing. I finally felt useful and loved again!

Some years later, when I was too tired and old to spin properly anymore, I feared being replaced by a new, energetic, determined gear. But that's not what happened.

The old man gave the clock to his granddaughter as a gift, and she kept it dearly. Not to use it, but as a nice memory of a good time. That could be the end of the story. However, time doesn't stop. Are you curious to know what I've been doing and where I am now?

Today, I live in Auckland, on a table in the bedroom of my new owner. The clock I'm in is ancient and barely works, but sometimes I can make an extra effort when her cousin comes over and they decide to play. I'm half-retired, but still appreciate a good game of chess.

She also has some modern clocks from well-known brands that dominate the market, such as Chronos, Leap, and DGT, whose devices are used in most FIDE tournaments, especially with digital boards. They have ingenious buttons that can count moves and issue sound notifications. They also allow you to customize time controls.

I cannot deny that my younger relatives are more precise and reliable than I ever was, but they still do the same job with the same passion and dedication that I did. Nevertheless, I am undoubtedly the most special one in her life.

To be honest, digital clocks aren't very useful for amateurs anymore. They can easily be replaced by smartphone apps, which work well for casual games. But I'm not one of those nostalgic old fogies. Progress is inevitable, and it is a pleasure to hand over the baton to the next generation.

The rest of the time, I spend near her computer where she watches games between some of the world's strongest players. I'm not on the big stage anymore, but I still feel like I'm part of this community.

She also writes a chess blog. And today, she kindly gave me the opportunity to share my story with her readers.

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Conclusion

I am pleased to announce that you have reached the end of my report. It has been an honor and a pleasure to tell you the story of my life. I would also like to thank my good Kiwi friend for allowing me to contribute to her blog and speak to you all today.

Now, time is up, and the moment has come to hand it over to her again. Thank you very much for paying such close attention to what I have written, and I hope you have enjoyed spending the last few minutes with me. I am not a great writer, but I did my best. See you!

Yaaay! It’s Vanessa speaking again, dear reader! Thank you to Toby for his special contribution here and to you for reading this post. I am sure you learned something new and will remember everything he told you about the history of chess clocks. Am I right?

This type of text is not easy to create, but great fun to write! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

That's all for today, guys! I'd better leave before getting flagged. We’ll meet again on 15 August!