Chess Clocks Are Stuck in the Past. That's why I'm Building a Clock in 2025
The Problem Nobody Talks About
I’ve been playing chess for years. I’ve spent countless hours studying openings, analyzing games, and trying to improve.
But there’s one piece of equipment that has always frustrated me:
The chess clock.
Think about it—
We play on beautiful boards.
We use apps with stunning interfaces.
We watch streams with slick graphics and real-time analysis.
But when it comes to OTB play, we’re still using clocks that look and feel like they’re from the 90s.
Basic LCD displays.
Clunky buttons.
No connectivity.
No updates.
It always bothered me. So I decided to do something about it.
Introducing Aion
Aion is a smart chess clock I’ve been building from scratch.
Here’s what makes it different:
A display that actually looks good
A full-color touchscreen with a clean split view—one side for each player.
Time, player info, and game status are visible at a glance from any angle.
Software that evolves
Over-the-air updates mean your clock gets better over time.
New features, improvements, bug fixes—no new hardware required.
Your clock grows with you.
Your style, your choice
I’m developing three form factors:
- Desktop – Classic style with integrated screen
- Portable – Foldable design that travels with you
- Minimalist – Button-only; uses your phone as the display
The App Is Live (and Free)
While the hardware is in development, I’ve released the official Aion companion app on the App Store.
It’s completely free—no ads, no subscriptions, no catch.
You get:
- All time controls (bullet to classical)
- Custom time settings
- Clean, minimal design
- Offline functionality
Even without the clock, it’s a solid app for any OTB game.
I use it myself every week.
I Need Your Help
I don’t want to build this in isolation.
I want to create something chess players actually want.
So I’m asking:
- What do you hate about your current clock?
- What features would make you upgrade?
- Desktop or portable?
- What would make the app better?
I’ve put together design mockups you can vote on at https://aionchessclock.com
Every piece of feedback shapes what I build next.
Let’s Make Something Great
Chess is a beautiful game. The tools we use should match that beauty.
If you’re interested in following the journey or want to give feedback, check out:
Or just drop a comment below—I read everything.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
And if you ever want a game, challenge me anytime.
