{"product_id":"koopman-mechanical-chess-clock-1960s-c-kommandeur-klok","title":"Koopman Mechanical Chess Clock — 1961, \"C. Kommandeur\" Dutch Club Original","description":"\u003ch4\u003eA Dated Piece of 1961 Chess History\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an original Koopman mechanical chess clock, made in Dordrecht, the Netherlands, and precisely dated to \u003cstrong\u003e1961\u003c\/strong\u003e by its factory warranty stamp on the base. Koopman clocks were the gold standard of tournament timekeeping throughout the 1950s and 60s — used at the highest levels of competitive chess, including the Chess Olympiad. Production has long since ended, making every surviving piece a genuine collector's item.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're offering seven of these clocks together, sourced directly from a Dutch chess club. Each one is a real, individually photographed piece — not a stock image. \u003cstrong\u003eYou choose the exact clock you want to buy\u003c\/strong\u003e, based on its own photo set and condition notes, so there are no surprises on arrival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eAn Uncommon Detail: The \"C. Kommandeur\" Nameplate\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond the standard Koopman markings — \"H. Koopman Dordrecht\" on the dial and Patent 65843 — these clocks carry an additional brass nameplate on the front reading \u003cstrong\u003e\"C. Kommandeur\"-KLOK\u003c\/strong\u003e. This points to a period retailer or distributor who resold Koopman's clocks under their own name, a practice occasionally seen with these instruments but rarely documented today. The mechanism and craftsmanship are 100% genuine Koopman; the extra plate is a rare layer of provenance most surviving examples simply don't have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eVerified Dating\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe base of each clock carries the original factory warranty stamp, clearly dated \u003cstrong\u003e12 September 1961\u003c\/strong\u003e, along with a period club inventory mark. This isn't an estimated decade — it's a specific, verifiable date stamped at the time of sale, exactly the kind of detail collectors look for when authenticating a piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMechanics:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully functional on both sides. Every clock has been individually wound and tested before listing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original wood case, never refurbished or restored — expect the honest patina, minor scuffs, and warm color that only 60+ years of genuine use can produce.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthenticity markers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original 1961 warranty stamp on the base, club inventory marking, and the brass \"C. Kommandeur\"-KLOK nameplate on the front.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition varies slightly between the seven pieces\u003c\/strong\u003e — see the individual photos for the exact clock you're considering. Differences are minor (light surface wear, small case marks) and don't affect function.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eA Note on Use \u0026amp; Longevity\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis clock is fully functional and has been tested on both sides — but it's also over 60 years old. We recommend against heavy daily use or fast time-control (blitz) play without first having the movement checked by a professional watchmaker or clockmaker. Occasional club games, display, or collecting are perfectly safe; frequent high-speed button use puts more stress on a vintage mechanism than it was built to handle at this age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eRestoration \u0026amp; Personalization Services\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrefer your clock fully serviced by a clockmaker before use, or restored to a polished, like-new finish? We offer:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFull mechanical service\u003c\/strong\u003e — professional inspection and tuning of the movement, recommended before regular or competitive use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVisual restoration\u003c\/strong\u003e — cleaning and refinishing of the wood case while preserving its vintage character.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCustom engraving\u003c\/strong\u003e — a personal message, date, or name added to the case, perfect for a unique gift.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote: these services alter the clock from its original, unrestored condition — some collectors prefer to keep it exactly as found. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.chessboart.com\/pages\/contact\"\u003eGet in touch\u003c\/a\u003e before or after your order to discuss options and pricing.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Koopman?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChess clubs didn't own \"a chess clock\" — they owned \"a Koopman.\" Backed in their day by a two-year factory warranty, these clocks earned their reputation through decades of reliable service on tournament tables across Europe. Their flag-fall indicator, protected by Dutch patent 65843, gave players a clear, accurate read on their final minutes — a level of precision that made Koopman the standard other brands were measured against.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eHow to Order\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach of the 7 clocks (KP01–KP07) is listed as a separate variant with its own photos and condition notes. Select the one you'd like — you'll receive \u003cstrong\u003eexactly the clock shown in the photos you choose\u003c\/strong\u003e, not a random pick from stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eDetails\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e H. Koopman, Dordrecht, Netherlands\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1961 (dated by original factory warranty stamp, 12 September 1961)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wood case, mechanical movement\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Analog mechanical chess clock, dual-dial, flag-fall indicator (Patent 65843)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 23.3 cm (L) × 7 cm (D) × 13 cm (H)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNet weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.9 kg (911 g)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dutch chess club collection\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good, original, unrestored — individually inspected and tested\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial feature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Retailer nameplate \"C. Kommandeur\"-KLOK\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA genuine, dated collector's piece for anyone who values authentic chess history over a polished reproduction. Only 7 available — each one unique. Looking for a different year or condition? \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.chessboart.com\/collections\/chess-clocks-wooden-classical-and-vintage\"\u003eBrowse our full collection of vintage chess clocks\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Koopman","offers":[{"title":"KP01","offer_id":62837574828362,"sku":null,"price":210.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"KP02","offer_id":62837574861130,"sku":null,"price":229.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"KP03","offer_id":62837574893898,"sku":null,"price":229.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"KP04","offer_id":62837574926666,"sku":null,"price":229.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"KP05","offer_id":62837574959434,"sku":null,"price":229.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"KP06","offer_id":62837574992202,"sku":null,"price":229.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"KP07","offer_id":62837575024970,"sku":null,"price":229.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0917\/5485\/6778\/files\/vintage-wooden-chess-clock-koopman-1960s-front-kp01.webp?v=1785435185","url":"https:\/\/www.chessboart.com\/it\/products\/koopman-mechanical-chess-clock-1960s-c-kommandeur-klok","provider":"ChessboArt ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}