Complete Buying Guide: Which Cuckoo Clock Suits Me?
This treasured time-telling relic is a must-have for people who like their possessions to have a unique, antique quality. If that includes you, this guide is just what you need.
"Cuckoo clocks garner love and adoration from all around the world, and rightfully so!"
What Is the Cuckoo Clock?
The authentic cuckoo clock has its roots in the Black Forest region of Germany. The cuckoo clock is ornately carved, usually pendulum-driven, with fascinating inner workings. True to its name, the cuckoo clock strikes every hour and half hour. The original cuckoo clock has no batteries and everything is mechanic! Since its inception, the cuckoo clock has become a prized symbol of Southern German heritage.
The timeless cuckoo clock can add an element of sophistication and charm to any house. If you want to elevate the look of your home with rustic charm, consider buying an original cuckoo clock handcrafted to perfection in its birthplace, Black Forest, Germany.
How to Choose a Cuckoo Clock?
Those who are new to the idea of cuckoo clocks can use some guidance on where to begin. You may have several questions, including ‘which cuckoo clock suits me best?
Fortunately, there are several variations of the cuckoo clock. So, read this guide to ensure you make a worthwhile purchase. No matter what your needs, taste, and preference. You’ll find a cuckoo clock to gel with your style perfectly!
Here’s how you’ll narrow down your choice to the perfect one.
1. Consider Quality and Production
The raging popularity of the cuckoo clock has led to the creation of cheap imitations. If you’re interested in buying an original cuckoo clock handmade in the Black Forest, Germany, you must consider its production and origin as a standard of its quality. Otherwise, you may fall prey to unscrupulous vendors selling fake copies.
To preserve the integrity of the authentic cuckoo clock, the Black Forest Association maintains a strict standard of quality and production. Just because a cuckoo clock vendor claims it is a product of the Black Forest doesn’t mean it is! Make sure you purchase an authentic cuckoo clock that comes with a VdS or Verein der Schwarzwalduhr Certification of Authenticity, confirming that you have a 100% original Black Forest cuckoo clock!
CuckooClockMarket sells only Original Cuckoo Clocks, which will be send directly from the Black Forest.
2. Choose a Style
Once you have chosen a company that sells authentic cuckoo clocks, you can choose the style that fits your aesthetic. That’s the fun part! Selecting a cuckoo clock style of your choice will narrow down your search, making your job easier.
The authentic German cuckoo clock comes in two main styles: the Chalet style and Carved Cuckoo Clock. Understanding what these are will help you make an informed decision.
The Chalet-style cuckoo clock is a Black Forest house.
This house may be a single hut or the entire manor (depending on the size of the clock), the Bavarian Beer Garden or Biergarten, or the Swiss Alpine House.
It also features intricately carved details and hand-painted animated characters, usually a wood chopper, happy couples dancing, or beer drinkers raising their glasses or turning mill wheels.
You may also find chalet-style cuckoo clocks with Women in Traditional Black Forest Costumes or Wood Clock Peddler who moves. It is a representation of an aspect of daily German life a long time ago.
The figurines usually move, and the cuckoo pops out of its door as the clock strikes every hour and half hour.
The Carved or Traditional Style Cuckoo Clock is more suited to people who prefer the classic German cuckoo clock. This clock features hand-carved details on the clock’s face, including leaves, animals, and other details of nature.
The carved cuckoo clock represents the traditional Black Forest outdoors in two primary themes, the Black Forest nature featuring wildlife and foliage, and the Hunter theme with hunters, rifles, game, and a stag.
The traditional-style cuckoo clock will fit the bill if you’re fond of nature and prefer a minimalistic interior.
3. Pick a Movement
You must also consider your preferred cuckoo clock movement. Before we answer ‘which movement type is right for me,’ let us explain what it is.
The cuckoo clock movement dictates the mechanism by which the clock tells time. Considering this factor may not be as fun as choosing the cuckoo clock style, but it is important.
The movement of your clock dictates whether you’ll have to wind your clock for it to continue to operate. It will also affect the cuckoo clock’s accuracy, performance, and lifespan.
There are two main movement types to choose from:
Mechanical movement is the movement type usually found in most original cuckoo clocks. A cuckoo clock must feature mechanical movement to receive the coveted certificate of authenticity. Mechanical clock movements are controlled by weights and need to be wound for the clock to continue working, by pulling the weights up.
Sound like too much work? Not really! You just have to pull the chain, so the weights go up.
You can choose between:
- 1-day movement, which needs to be wound every day
- 8-day movement, which needs to be wound once a week
If you plan to hang the cuckoo clock where it’s not within reach, you can choose the 8-day movement, which minimizes the hassle of winding the clock daily.
However, 8-day movement clocks are slightly pricier than 1-day movement clocks and weigh more.
How can you easily check from the picture, what model it is? The weights are thinner on the 1 Day Cuckoo Clock Movement.
This is a 1 Day Cuckoo Clock Movement with Music and Dancers.
The weights are thin.
This is a 8 Day Cuckoo Clock Movement with Music and Dancers.
The weights are thick.
Alternatively, you can choose Quartz movement, which eliminates the need for manually winding the clock to work.
However, remember that these battery-operated clocks don’t qualify for the prestigious VdS certification as they are considered replicas of the authentic cuckoo clock and have normally a lot of functions, mainly made in china and it is not worth to be called an original cuckoo clock.
4. Consider Musical Elements
What’s an original cuckoo clock without music? The good news is you can choose the music (in addition to the cuckoo call) and its frequency!
Most traditional, mechanical cuckoo clocks play two different German folk songs, including
"Edelweiss" or "Der fröhliche Wanderer"
You can listen to the music here below and see also the mechanic behind it. This is the way the music movement is installed in the cuckoo clock:
Now let’s come to the frequency of this music.
1-day and 8-day movement cuckoo clocks alternate music every hour when the clock strikes. Every half hour the cuckoo whistles.
5. Budget
Pricing is an important consideration when you think of buying an original authentic cuckoo clock.
Instead of falling prey to cuckoo clock imitations to bag a lower price, consider the features you can compromise on so you don’t deprive yourself of a 100% authentic cuckoo clock straight from Black Forest, Germany.
As a general rule, the more intricate a cuckoo clock, the higher its price.
Here are a few considerations that will help you stay within your budget:
- 1-day movement clocks are cheaper than 8-day movement clocks
- Cuckoo clocks with music cost more than those without music
- Cuckoo clocks with more musical notes have a higher price (some play 3 songs)
- Larger cuckoo clocks are more expensive than smaller-sized cuckoo clocks
- The more animations, the pricier the clock
5. Conclusion
Understanding cuckoo clocks with this step-by-step buying guide will allow you to narrow down your choices.
Choose the style, movement, and music requirements, and then decide the aspects you can let go of to avoid overstepping your budget.
With this, you’re all set to buy an iconic and authentic cuckoo clock to elevate your home’s look and vintage quality!