Black Forest Cuckoo Clock: Tradition and Craftsmanship

The typical cuckoo clock is still made only in the Black Forest today. Where this type of clock originally came from before it was first built here is lost in history. In the Black Forest, the first clocks with a cuckoo call were made between 1730 and 1750. Over time, manual production developed into the world-famous clock industry of an entire region.

A traditional Black Forest clock is a clock whose striking mechanism usually imitates cuckoo calls on the hour. The cuckoo call is the best-known feature of traditional cuckoo clocks, which still use mechanical movements.

The number of cuckoo calls indicates the time. A small door above the dial opens, and a carved and painted cuckoo figure appears. After calling, it disappears back into the case behind the door. In addition to the cuckoo, some models include further moving figures. 

The cuckoo clock is a wall clock whose mechanical pendulum movement has a chain drive and a striking mechanism. As a rule, the weights must be pulled up again every 24 hours.

The cuckoo call is produced by a pair of small organ pipes. Some models can create the cuckoo sound with a single whistle.

Since the mid-19th century, the case has mostly been designed in the shape of a small railway signalman’s house with a pitched roof and is decorated or painted with woodland or hunting themes, depending on the model.   

The first cuckoo clocks 

The cuckoo clock was probably not invented in the Black Forest, as Elector Johann Georg I of Saxony already owned a clock with a cuckoo call in 1619. The craftsmanship of Black Forest clockmakers perfected and further developed mechanical clocks with cuckoo calls and, together with the carvings and decorations on the cases, created a unique cultural asset. Around 1840 there were about 1,000 workshops with around 5,000 employees between St. Georgen and Lenzkirch. At that time, around 600,000 wooden clocks were produced there each year. 

There are several reasons why the original Black Forest cuckoo clock became known worldwide. One key factor is the cuckoo call on the hour, which is something quite special. When production began in this poor low mountain region, wood as a material was available everywhere. Wooden movements could be made here far more cheaply than the usual metal ones. The low price therefore became another important factor in the success of Black Forest wall clocks.

Today, Black Forest cuckoo clocks with lovingly carved cases and decorations are cherished collector’s items. Their cuckoo call or music delights owners and adds charm to any cozy home or holiday house in the Black Forest.  

Original only from the Black Forest 

Black Forest cuckoo clocks are a protected brand. Only clocks made in the Black Forest are original Black Forest cuckoo clocks. They carry the VDS certificate, which stands for “Verein die Schwarzwalduhr”. This label guarantees that they are genuine Black Forest cuckoo clocks made to a reliable craft standard. 

Important features of these clocks: 

• The manufacturer must be based in the Black Forest and produce there
• The wall clocks must have a mechanical movement made in the Black Forest
• The cuckoo call is produced purely mechanically

The traditional mechanical movement 

If you choose a cuckoo clock, you not only select between different designs but also between different movements. The classic movement of a Black Forest cuckoo clock is purely mechanical. If you want an original, this is the only option. It reflects the traditional craftsmanship of this rugged low mountain region. 

The mechanical movement is similar to a normal striking movement and includes what is known as a bird lever. This is a pivoting mechanism used to move the cuckoo figure. The door is opened and closed by a wire bracket attached to the foot of the cuckoo figure. 

Depending on the model, the clock must be rewound every 24 hours up to every 8 days. In a chain-driven movement, the weights are pulled up again by hand. Compared with 8-day movements, 24-hour movements are smaller and more affordable.

Today, however, high-quality wall clocks from the Black Forest most often have a mechanical movement with a running time of up to 8 days before they need to be wound again.   

The night shut-off 

If you need quiet at night, you should look for a night shut-off when buying a cuckoo clock. This function allows you to set the clock so that the cuckoo stays inside the case and remains silent until the cuckoo call is activated again. On high-quality mechanical clocks, the night shut-off is operated by hand. As an alternative, you can of course stop the clock completely if you do not want to be woken by cuckoo calls every hour.   

The largest cuckoo clock

The world’s largest cuckoo clock is as big as a small Black Forest house. It was built by clockmaker Josef Dold in Schonach over a period of two years. A special feature of this clock is not only that the cuckoo call sounds every full and half hour, but also that it contains a handcrafted wooden movement. At 3.60 meters in length, 3.10 meters in height and one meter in depth, this movement is enormous. It is 50 times larger than a normal cuckoo clock and can therefore be viewed from the inside.