the 'tanned' model w/ the little white stripe was the first Garde model, the lighter wood model came later. IIRC, the switch occured in the mid sixties, which puts the older model somewhere between 58 (when UMF Ruhla switched from manufacturing the Thiel clocks to Garde) to 65. AFAIC, both Garde models are superior to the later models produced after German unification.
Hi Frank...
How did you find out that the generation 2 Garde model was released in '65? I know, of course that the generation2 model was used in the '72 Fischer - Spassky match ( which is why I bought mine! ) but I've been unable to pin down when the second generation Garde came into being. I've picked up a lot of information about Garde clocks from two main sources. They are this site... https://ostalgieruhla.wordpress.com/ruhla-clocks/ruhla-chess-clock-schachuhr/
and Dr. Holger's site.... https://www.chess-collection.de/chess-clocks
I got the impression that the first Garde clock was shown at the 1960 Chess Olympiad but when, exactly the generation 2s became available is unclear to me.
Why do you think the last Garde Ruhla model which was made - not the Garde "Classic" which is made in China - but the ones that Kasparov shows in his video about his training course is inferior to the Generation 1 and 2s. They say " Garde Ruhla" on each clock face below the hour - minute hands. They still used the timers actually produced in the Ruhla factory and are referred to as the Generation 3 Ruhlas. One thing I like in particular about them is that they're about 1/4 of an inch larger in depth than the generation 1 & 2s and have little rubber feet on the bottom of the clock to help absorb the pounding and to protect the wood base during vigorous use. Definitely more stable! Plus the clock faces have much thicker, bolder numerals. I think they are the best of the Garde clocks!!
I enjoyed reading your input about these clocks very much and I thank you...
,,,,from a Garde clock aficionado!
I don't know, man. I had a analog chess clock. I think I gave it away. It was pretty low quality. Just felt cheap. Made out of bamboo wood or whatever. And the tiny little dials you punch. Sometimes I would discover the time had stopped on its own just because.
My black, plastic analog chess clock cost me under $20. I have had it for decades. It stood up to blitz games in Brooklyn parks and tournaments too. Besides some analog chess clocks are beautiful. For the most part, most digital clocks lack visual appeal. I don't mind placing my analog clock alongside my chess set on my living room coffee table.