Clock Tips » Forest of Germany

Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks

admin — Sun, 06 May 2007 04:21:57 +0000

Known for its harsh winters, its many local artisans, and an abundance of hard woods unique to the area, Triberg in the Black Forest is the prime location for the production of cuckoo clocks. Even today, most of the worlds supply of cuckoo clocks still comes from Germany, mostly from the Black Forest area. There are imitators out there but beware if its not from Germany or Austria it may not be a high quality, hand-carved cuckoo clock.

Today there are over 100 small companies in the area that are licensed to manufacture cuckoo clocks. The business has evolved from a winter months activity to a full time, year round endeavor. In fact, most of the original farms of the area have stopped producing grains and vegetables because the farmers are too busy harvesting the prized Linden wood for the manufacturing of cuckoo clocks. Only a few of these companies are large enough to sell their products overseas, and so only a few names, such as Dold, Schneider, Herr, Jaeger, Hermle and Schwab have achieved international fame as quality cuckoo clock craftsmen. Each of these companies, named after the artist who originally founded them, is known around the world as quality producers of cuckoo clocks.

Now Anton Schneider & Sons, the company founded in 1848 by Anton Schneider is in its sixth generation of Schneiders. The company employs only the most skilled craftsmen working, many of whom have been in with their company for several generations, and some of whom have worked there as long as forty years. The warehouse in Schonach, Germany is not only known for the quality of timekeeping in their cuckoo clocks, but also for the artistic nature of the individual pieces. Schneider cuckoo clocks are prized for their music and dancing figures as well as for larger, more intricate moving scenes. Their production has surpassed more than 300 different mechanical models to date, all of which carry their imprint on the clock dial.

Probably the most famous seller of cuckoo clocks is the German
company River City Cuckoo Clocks. While American distributors sometimes use the name River City, the original company is located in the Black Forest of Germany and serves as a one-stop wholesaler for many different brands of cuckoo clocks, of only the highest quality produced in the area.

About the Author

Cuckoo Clocks Info provides detailed information on Black Forest, antique, and quartz cuckoo clocks, as well as parts, repair, movement, kits, manufacturer reviews, and advice on where to purchase discount clocks. Cuckoo Clocks Info is the sister site of Grandfather Clocks Web.

Written By: Kristy Annely

linden black forest travel alarm clock

More Than 670 Clocks For Co0kie’s Home Tab

Should I buy a cuckoo clock?

admin — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 02:20:17 +0000

Are you in need of a quality clock to keep time in your home? Do you want a timepiece that marks each hour by a sound? Are you interested in a unique and historic piece that is sure to bring beauty and charm to your home? Do you want a fabulous conversation piece that is sure to catch the eye (and ears) of all who visit your home? If your answer was “yes” to any of these questions, consider purchasing a cuckoo clock for your home. Cuckoo clocks are fantastically unique timepieces that include a small carved bird in the clock’s bellows to chirp out the time instead of chime the hour. From the kitsch to the modern to the antique, any tastes and decorative style will benefit from a cuckoo clock.

Since cuckoo clocks are delicate in nature, you should only consider purchasing a cuckoo clock if you have the space to hang a clock securely from your wall. Since the chains and weights generally hang beneath the clock, you should ensure your prospective wall has enough room for the weights to swing freely. Cuckoo clocks are not mantle clocks and should only be hung from a wall, so if you do not have the proper space, you may need to reconsider your purchase.

Many travelers choose to purchase cuckoo clocks as a souvenir of their European adventure. Since cuckoo clocks were traditionally made in the famous Black Forest of Germany, and are continued to be produced using the traditional methods, a cuckoo clock is the perfect souvenir for travelers who want something unique and customary to mark their visit to Germany. However, before your purchase, ensure you will actually use your cuckoo clock once you return to your home. A cuckoo clock in a store full of cuckoos may seem appealing at the time, but you may find differently once you return home. These great clocks are perfect for the right owner, who will cherish and appreciate the unique creation.

The best thing about the cuckoo clock is the bird itself. The cuckoo, a small grey bird native to Europe, Africa, and Asia, is replicated in carved wood and placed in the bellows of the cuckoo clock. Once the clock’s hand designates the hour, the bird pops out from his home and sounds the hour. Instead of more traditional clocks that chime the hour, such as mantle clocks equipped with Westminster Chimes, this tiny bird chirps out the hour and is a favorite with both the young and the young at heart. In addition to not being as loud as chimes, the cuckoo clock does not sound for the length of time of a traditional chime clock, so the disturbance is at a minimum.

About the author:

Doug Mahopac specializes in Clocks http://www.i-cuckoo-clocks.com

Written By: Doug Mahopac

Where to Find Cuckoo Clock Parts

admin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 01:52:45 +0000

In some places, one might be able to find old men bent over tables with all of the knowledge, expertise and inventory of parts that are necessary to fix a broken or malfunctioning cuckoo clock. For those of us who don’t have the time or desire to seek out such eccentric craftsmen, the Internet has become a haven for locating and purchasing any of the hundreds of individual minute pieces that make up a Black Forest cuckoo clock. You may find, however, that purchasing small replacement parts and having them shipped to your house is more expensive than the total cost of replacing your worn cuckoo clock with a new one. For those who have become attached to their old clocks, however, and also for those interested in creating their own working cuckoo clocks, the Internet holds a wealth information regarding parts, suppliers and the construction of the inner workings of cuckoo clocks, from the simplest to the most elaborate.

One key site for these types of purchases, clockworks.com, is a well-known supplier of clock parts to the repair industry. There you can find books on the history of almost any timepiece, manuals detailing the intricacies of their construction and almost all of the necessary parts to keep your cuckoo clock running perfectly for a long, long time. Working from pictures of the individual parts, clockworks.com makes it simple and easy to find the exact part you need, be it what actually imitates the sound of the cuckoo bird or what keeps accurate time. From bushings to bellows, from hands, to numerals, to special cuckoo epoxy, everything can be found and ordered directly from this site. Should you have any questions, clockworks.com will quickly respond to your emails or phone calls with precise, accurate information regarding your request.

Short of getting on a plane from wherever you may be located and flying for hours into the Black Forest of Germany, renting a car, and traveling to one of the small towns dotted throughout the area to find the manufacturer of your particular cuckoo clock, the internet is the single best resource to find the parts necessary to keep your cuckoo clock running perfectly.

About the Author

Written By: Kristy Annely

A Look at Cuckoo Clock Movement

admin — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 07:08:33 +0000

The inside mechanics of cuckoo clocks maintain virtually the same design since the day they were first created in the Black Forest of Germany. While the parts are now sometimes made out of metal and plastic instead of the all wood versions that started it all, the weights and counterbalance mechanisms that help them perform accurately and to imitate the sound of the cuckoo bird have not changed much in almost 300 years. A mechanical movement run by weights that hang from the bottom of the clock drives the action of most cuckoo clocks. Most clocks have three weights, while some larger more complex versions require three weights hanging from the front of the cabinet. They are commonly in the shape of pinecones and must be pulled periodically, depending on the model. Spring-driven cuckoo clocks never really caught on and subsequently are quite rare.

Black Forest cuckoo clocks run on a set of wheels that lock gears and provide the power necessary to swing the pendulum back and forth. Every time the pendulum makes a complete swing back and forth, one tooth of the wheel is released from the escape wheel. Each time a tooth escapes, the time train moves forward, resulting in a very small movement of the minute hand. When you first bring your new cuckoo clock home you will need to test its timing against a battery operated clock of some kind. If you measure the difference in time between your cuckoo clock and real time, you can then adjust your cuckoo clock to perform more accurately by adjusting the weights that hang beneath the housing. Its always an educated guess rather than an exact science, and old fashioned cuckoo clocks are never one hundred percent accurate, but patience and readjustments made every twenty four hours over a few days will get your clock functioning as close to perfection as possible. The standard rule of thumb is to try to get your clock to miss only a few minutes per week and live with it.

About the author:
Cuckoo Clocks Info provides detailed information on Black Forest, antique, and quartz cuckoo clocks, as well as parts, repair, movement, kits, manufacturer reviews, and advice on where to purchase discount clocks. Cuckoo Clocks Info is the sister site of Grandfather Clocks Web.

Written By: Kristy Annely

old cuckoo clock parts