Germany

A German craft since the 1700s

Black Forest clocks with carved cases and mechanical calls, a German craft since the 1700s.

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An heirloom cuckoo clock gift set in a wooden box on a light background

Heirloom cuckoo gift set$316.00

A richly carved Black Forest collector clock on a light background

Black Forest collector clock$498.00

A couple's carved cuckoo clock on a light background

Couple's cuckoo clock$586.00

A musical carved cuckoo clock on a light background

Musical cuckoo clock$512.00

An eight-day traditional cuckoo clock on a light background

Eight-day cuckoo clock$398.00

A small mini cuckoo clock on a light background

Mini cuckoo clock$196.00

An eight-day cuckoo clock with a pendulum on a light background

Cuckoo & pendulum clock$448.00

A hunter-style carved cuckoo clock on a light background

Hunter cuckoo clock$362.00

Our story

Carved, then it calls

In the 1700s, clockmakers in the Black Forest of Germany began making clocks that announced the hour with the call of a bird — the cuckoo. Through the centuries, the craft has grown into a fine art: a case carved by hand from linden wood, a mechanical movement that brings a little bird out to call, and pendulums and weights that keep the time. Kuckuck works with the Black Forest carvers and clockmakers who still build these clocks one at a time, so each is a working piece of a very old tradition.

Where it comes from

Germany

Black Forest clocks with carved cases and mechanical calls, a German craft since the 1700s.

What: Black Forest cuckoo clocks
Made for: Heritage clock collectors
Region: Europe

How it's made

Each case is carved by hand from linden wood, finished with the traditional Black Forest figures of leaves, birds and forest scenes. Inside, a mechanical movement works the clock and brings the cuckoo out to call on the hour. It is assembled and tested by hand before it leaves the workshop.

How to use it

Hang it on a solid wall, set the time, and let the weights and pendulum run. On the hour and the half hour, the little bird opens its door and calls. Wind it by pulling the weights up, and it runs for a day or more.

Good to know

Is each clock unique?

Yes — the cases are carved and finished by hand, so no two are quite identical. Each is assembled and tested by hand before it leaves the workshop.

How do I wind and care for it?

Pull the weights up to wind it, and it runs for a day or more. Hang it on a solid wall, keep the pendulum swinging, and it needs little more than a dust now and then.

What is the difference between the movements?

A one-day movement runs on a daily wind, an eight-day movement runs for a week, and a musical movement plays a tune with the call. The choice is how often you want to wind it.

What is the case made from?

Traditionally linden wood, carved by hand with the leaves, birds and forest scenes of the Black Forest. The carving is part of the craft, and it is what makes each clock a work of art.

How does the cuckoo work?

A small mechanical movement opens the door and brings the carved bird out, which calls the hour — traditionally with two little pipes that sound like the bird. It is all mechanical, with no electricity.

Where does the cuckoo clock come from?

It comes from the Black Forest of Germany, where clockmakers began making cuckoo clocks in the 1700s. The craft has been passed down through generations of carvers and clockmakers there ever since.

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