Chess Clocks, Chess Timers, Chess Clock

BHB chess clocks have a last-forever reputation - a great timer to suit a great chess set. The BHB is another mechanical device made in Germany - the BHB have been used up and down many countries in chess tournaments. They aren’t the cheapest chess timer, but neither are they the most expensive. In our propensity to compare chess clocks and chess computers with cars, this is an upper market Volkswagon, well made, a people’s clock and not particularly expensive. The BHB comes in four different colours. It features quality German engineering, sturdy construction, simple classy look, and no need for batteries. It is easy to set and doesn’t require hours of studying any complicated manuals for digital settings. This clock is excellent for scholastic chess because of its nearly indestructible construction. The light, durable plastic housing is impact-resistant for safe traveling. The case measures 5 7/8″ x 3 1/4″ x 1 1/2″. BHB are the German company with more than 40 years experience of making chess timers.

The Easy ‘Plus’ is a more advanced version of the colourful ‘pulp’ Easy range. Digital chess clocks are generally regarded as more accurate, if not quite as evocable as the analogues. DGT have made the acceptance of DGT clocks by FIDE a big thing on their site. What does the ‘Plus’ do that the colourful range doesn’t? It has bonus and delay timer modes that the rest don’t. Here is a complete list of the functions

The ‘Easy’ from DGT is a popular clock because of a number of vibrant colours, even if not having the full functions that tournament players are used to. The downsides are - no negative count (counting back past zero) and a slight issue with reliability (no doubt DGT are on the case even now - June 07, next versions are sure to be improved). They can’t reasonably be used for tournaments, but for home use they’ll be fine. The colours make the clocks popular with young players and this is good for getting more and more young players engaged in chess. DGT have higher specification models that are used for top tournaments, but this colourful range is great for starter and home players. The Easy ‘plus’ is a whole different case - see the review for this one.

The best known name in chess clocks is the Garde company. They’ve produced the timer with the best reputation for build quality and the reputation grows and grows. It doesn’t hurt that the product comes from the same country as Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Volkswagon. Garde have now come up trumps with the digital version of the best known chess clock in the world. This is the subject of a review in another post.

The best known and greatly admired chess timer - the Garde chess clock - now also available in digital. The Garde has a name that other timers aspire to. Made in Germany (like Mercedes, BMW, Audi…) the clock has a build quality that is greatly admired and recognised through out the world. It also has a clear non ambiguous face (or two faces of course) and clear indication that the respective face is currently operating. Quite large, and the rocker mechanism is easily broken - there are a few failures. But the guarantee the clock has from it’s suppliers and subsequently their retailers means that many customers will prefer the Garde name as their choice.