When the world’s chess elite gathers in Stavanger for Norway Chess 2025, it’s not just the clocks on the chessboards that are ticking. For the seventh time, the Norwegian watch brand Von Doren has been appointed Official Timekeeper, a role that unites precision, aesthetics, and a deep love for the game.

A Watch Inspired by an Iconic Game
 This year, Von Doren has also designed and produced the official Norway Chess watch: Réti Mark II. The watch is a tribute to the legendary game between Richard Réti and Savielly Tartakower, played in Vienna in 1910. Though the game ends after just 11 moves by Réti, it remains an iconic game in the eye of chess enthusiasts. On the dial, the hour markers are replaced with white’s 11 moves from that game, written in traditional chess notation.

Réti Mark II is limited to 150 pieces of each color and is now available for purchase on Von Doren’s website.

The watches will also be available for purchase at the Norway Chess playing venue, Finansparken in Stavanger, during the tournament.

. 

From Film to Fine Timepieces
Von Doren’s founder, Øyvind Von Doren Asbjørnsen, comes from a background in filmmaking with a special passion for chess. He directed the documentary The Prince of Chess (2005), which follows a young Magnus Carlsen, and co-produced MAGNUS (2016), a film offering a close look at Carlsen’s journey to becoming World Champion. This passion for chess is also reflected in Von Doren’s watch collections, including Grandmaster, inspired by the strength and dedication required to achieve the title of Grandmaster.

A Natural Partnership
The partnership between Von Doren and Norway Chess is more than just a sponsorship; it is a fusion of two worlds where precision, strategy, and beauty take center stage. As Official Timekeeper, Von Doren ensures that every second counts – both on and off the board.

For chess enthusiasts and design lovers, Réti Mark II is not just a timepiece, it is a piece of chess history you can wear on your wrist.

Learn more about Von Doren and their collections at vondoren.com.