Chess Clocks Are Boring

I recently posted a review on a new chess clock.  The only thing really wrong with it, in a lot of people's opinion, is the price is too high.

This got me to thinking about and remembering Chess clocks.

I remember when the Excalibur GameTime first came out as THE delay clock, in 1996.  Before that I was using an INSA wood mechanical and I had a small blitz clock where the whole clock's face time was 15 minutes instead of 60 minutes.  I can't remember the brand of that clock but it was a white plastic one.

I remember finding chess clocks interesting and kind of fun to look at and play with.  The different designs on the clock face, for instance, made some clocks easier to see the time.  Then there was the little cog wheel that clicked off seconds.  The different designs of this also made it fun.  And then there was the flag, yes a real flag that fell when time ran out.  Some of the clocks had that expanded scale with a thin pointer showing a magnified view of the last 5 minutes or so.  Yes, those analog clocks sure had character.  And we were interested in those clocks, even during a game.  When we hit our button we would look to make sure our clock had stopped and our opponent's clock was running.  We would look at the minute hand to see how much time we had left to the top of the hour and the end of that time.  I remember doing this after every move.  And the aesthetics and details of the clock were appreciated then as well.

The Excallibur was also kind of interesting with its display showing quite a bit all at once.  The design of with the screen sticking up from the main, box like body along with the plunger buttons with their white stems were fun to look at.

Then came the Chronos, talk about utilitarian.  You have this metal case with two windows on the slightly angled front.  On the top of this box are two IBM typewriter buttons with an LED next to each one.  In the center, and flush with the top is a square red button.  And folks that's it, no more.

During a chess game, we really forget about the clock, especially these new digital ones.  Sure, we'll look at the time and the LEDs to make sure who is on the move, but the clock itself is lost to us in the tabletop view. 

Of course, we want and like these clocks better when they are boring.  The Chronos has been the clock recognized by pretty much everyone here in the USA as the best clock to own and use.  Sure, there are some that like other clocks, but most all agree that the Chronos is the best.

Digital clocks also come in plastic or metal, aluminum.  There were some digitals made of wood, but they are extinct at this time.  Come on, plastic and metal are boring.  Sure, some have tried to make it better, but they haven't succeeded.

This new clock isn't any better.  Sure it's bigger and has a couple of more angles to it, but it's still boring.  I put red buttons on my black clocks to not only improve contrast to find the button faster, but to also make the clock a bit more interesting.  Look at the all black clock with black buttons, boring.

Now, I am not saying that we should have the clocks be all advertisement as the picture of the new clock shows in kenardi's thread.  I just wish we could have the clocks be a bit more interesting and not so darned boring.

Wouldn't it be more interesting if the display, for instance, would show the time filling the screen when the person is on the move, and go back to the "normal" size and smaller when not?  This way when anyone looks at the time on the clock they will more easily see the time ticking down as well as the obvious fact of who is on the move?

I don't know, I'm probably complaining about nothing, but I sure do miss the analog clocks and their complexities.

When I see people spending thousands of dollars on chess equipment, my stomach makes a bluaargh noise.

Don't worry, love money. Spend it. Buy 130 chess sets because you need them. Don't worry.

I don't see how buying 5 or 6 1500+ dollars NOJ Dubrovnik can be called preserving history. It's just the compulsivity thing. And yes, I am not ashamed of saying that it makes me a little angry, when I think about the summers I spent working to be able to afford chess books. But you're right, it's not my business.

Chess clocks have come a long way... Imagine lugging this around in your bag, looks like it weighs a ton.

I think chess clock have become too complicated.  When comparing analog to digital.

The biggest issues with digital chess clocks is programming... if you can program a clock without ever looking at the user manual.  Now that is a success!!!

If someone could make an analog chess clock with delay capability, I would buy one

.....  As if the game wasn't boring enough....