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
