Austrian

Old Austrian
				Nice Austrian chess clock with a traditional design, typical for the post Austro-Hungarian Empire area: solid rectangle wooden case with the removable upper block. Stamp on the clock dates it as of Jan 1936, which is fully plausible with the date of the newspapers (Kleine Volkszeitung, Nov 1935), pieces of which have been [traditionally] used inside the clock to steadily fix the movements. This model appears in the ‚Großdeutsche Meisterschaft‘ (Vienna, 1943) and clearly recognizable from the game between Josef Lokvenc (1st place 12,5/15) and his main rival Paul Schmidt (2nd place).
				Based on the Vienna Chess Magasine (vol.6 from 1932), it should be an Austrian prototype of the Czech chess clock 'Wienerin'. Produced approximately 1930th-1940th. Photo: a game between Clarice Benini vs. Vincenzo Nestler (Florence, 1948).
				Austrian chess clocks, presumably manufactured by Vienna-based watchmaker Rudolf Draxler. Despite the fact that the Draxler’s Ad in the Wiener Schachzeitung (1922) does not graphically reflect it, Geza Maróczy states in his book (A gyori sakk-kongresszus, 1924) that Draxler’s chess clocks were used in the ‘The Gyor Chess Congress 1924’, and here they are pretty recognizable. Among key characteristics there are massive wooden block with a separated upper part as well as a beautiful brass ring around the faces. Roman numerals: clock is dated back to mid-late 1920th. Photo: R.Spielmann vs. B.Hoenlinger (1935). Arabic numerals: Stamp on the bottom defines its age (19 Oct. 1934). Graving on the top of the clock D.S.U. means Deutsche Schachunion, one of the biggest chess union that times in Austria. Photo: Chess tournament in Vienna Hofburg (1943), where the same clock model (even with the same D.S.U. graving) has been used.

				Another prewar chess clock, this time with Roman numbers. Movements have been produced by Junghans 'Schwenningen factory' (the trademark 'butterfly' was registered on 13.2.1925 to differentiate it from Jungans 'Schramberg factory' and already appear on 1925 Junghans Catalogue). Clock is dated back also to some 1930th. Photo: Women Chess Championship (Prague, 1936).
				First impression when I got those clocks: they are fully identical. After the closer investigation it appeared that the movements from both clocks are different, furthermore, one pair looks quite 'used', the other rather 'new and shining'. To my luck, both clocks contained pieces of the old newspapers in it. Deep papers research showed that the first newspaper is dated with 16 Jan 1927 (by comparing all Stock prices and Theater repertoire in Vienna). Date of the second newspaper (Osterreichische Schneider-Zeitung) wasn't identified precisely, however it is known that is was published only between 1949 and 1977 (namely post-war). Assuming that the newspapers reflect an approximate production / major repair date, it may lead to the conclusion that both clocks were produced in the late 1920th, however the 2nd one (with a newer movements) might be repaired after the 2nd WW (1949 to 1977). Both clocks belonged to the chess section of the 'Gaswerk Leoipoldau' (Vienna), which is evidenced by the stamp on the bottom. Photo: Frederick Yates vs. Marquis Monticelli (San Remo, 1930).

				Kaiser chess clock. Movements manufactured by Josef Kaiser Uhrenfabrik Villingen (Germany), operated from 1926 to 1973. There is no evidence when exactly those Calibers were produced, nevertheless, they haven’t been designed exclusively for the chess clock but also used for various table clocks. Photo: unknown chess tournament in Wels, Austria (c) Peter Kranzl, https://schachunddarts.at/
				Nice Austrian chess clock with a characteristic side-based pushbars. In order to fix the movements inside the solid wooden block, a piece of newspaper (‘Wiener Kurier’, 1954) has been used: it’s a very good indication of the clocks age! Movements are originating from Josef Kaiser Uhrenfabrik Villingen. Photo: Hans Polzer vs. Ernst Stoeckl (Vienna Chess Club Hietzing, around 1970th).