Cuckoo Clocks

All cuckoo clocks from clockshop.com.au are authentic cuckoo clocks made in Germany. These beautiful and unique hand carved clocks date back to the early 18th century and are still manufactured in the Black Forest region of Germany.

Making a cuckoo clock takes a lot of skill and experience. The carving and hand craft in every cuckoo clock makes them unique and uncomprimising quality and tradition means each manufacturer has standards that must be met to achieve the VdS certificate of authenticity. Click to read more about the Association of the Black Forest Clock (Verein – die Schwarzwalduhr: VdS) 

Black Forest mechanical cuckoo clocks are weight driven and come with two different movements:

1 Day Movement - you wind the clock by pulling the chain and winding the weights once every day

8 Day Movement - you wind the clock by pulling the chain and winding the weights once every week.

Each clock will have either two or three weights; two weights for cuckoo only and three weights for cuckoo and music. One weight runs the clock movement and hands that show the time, one weight drives the cuckoo calling mechanism and the third weight is for the mechanical music movement.

The cuckoo sound is produced using bellows that push air through two whistles creating the 'cook' and 'coo' sounds respectively. If you choose to also have music, the third weight drives a traditional mechanical music box movement with a pinned cylinder that plucks notes on a 'comb' to produce the melody.

Mechanical cuckoo clocks can be silenced with a manual on/off lever, with some models also featuring automatic night off. This means you can turn the cuckoo and music off completely, or in the case of automatic night off, it switches off from 8:00pm to 8:00am.

Quartz cuckoo clocks operate differently to mechanical cuckoo clocks. Quartz means it is battery operated and has a recording of a real cuckoo bird in a forest environment. Unlike mechanical cuckoo clocks, these never need to be wound and have ornamental or decorative weights and chains. Quartz cuckoo clocks are also available with music; the models with music playing 12 different tunes alternating each hour. All quartz cuckoo clocks feature a light sensor for automatic night shut off (the cuckoo and music does not play when it is dark). 

 Automata are self operating or controlled mechanisms   designed to automatically follow a predetermined sequence of   operations: the cuckoo sound and the bird that appears when   the door opens is one example of an automaton.   Cuckoo clocks frequently have other automata (moving parts and figurines) which move when the cuckoo calls or the   music plays. Some of the common automata are wood choppers, beer drinkers, kissing couples and water wheels. This   automata is featured on both mechanical and quartz cuckoo clocks.

 

 

 

Add a Cuckoo Clock to your Australia Home and Add a Piece of History

Cuckoo clocks in Australia are an art form that combines accurate timekeeping with beautiful carvings, creating an art piece deserving of display. The Clock Shop in Montville offers quality timepieces that add a playful atmosphere to your home, and we import 95% of our inventory from Germany.

Common Mistakes People Make Regarding Genuine Cuckoo Clocks

Cuckoo clocks are works of art that add a touch of intrigue to any home. Their precise timekeeping mechanisms announce the time musically on the hour or half hour. Cuckoo clocks come with different options, and all our goods are authentic and original.

• The majority of cuckoo clocks are made from Linden wood from the Black Forest region of Germany and crafted in various styles, for example, Traditional and Chalet. Traditional cuckoo clocks are hand carved, and the Chalet version always features a typical Black Forest house.
• One-day clocks with music play music on the hour and half hour and require daily winding, while eight-day clocks with music only play music on the hour and only need winding once a week.
• Light sleepers will appreciate the night shutoff switch which allows you to silence the clock overnight or during the day, depending upon your preference. Mechanical clocks require you to move a lever up or down while some quartz battery clocks contain a light sensor which mutes the sounds once the room darkens.

Consider all factors before making your selection, from how often your clock needs to be wound, when you want to be notified of the time, and if you need quiet at night for restful slumber.

Tips Regarding Authentic Cuckoo Clocks

As an art piece that functions as a timekeeper, consider purchasing a cuckoo clock online as an investment that you can pass on to future generations.

• Choosing a piece with many moving figures adds to the unique qualities of the timepiece. Moving figures on the clock will add more interest and will have your children or grandchildren fascinated with dancers, men cutting lumber and folks lifting a stein.
• The music choices are often German folk songs, so be sure you’re comfortable hearing the same melodies throughout the day, or you can opt for cuckoo only, bird sounds that bring nature into your home.
• Take photos as you unpack the clock to ensure you can replicate the packing before shipment to prevent further damage in case repairs are needed. 

About Clock Shop

Our small family run business has been in the same location for over 25 years. We travel to Germany every year to meet with suppliers to review the newer models that fit any budget and décor. We are an authorised VdS (Verein – die Schwarzwalduhr) Black Forest Clock Association service and repair shop with an onsite clockmaker to handle any repairs. 

Give us a call for more information on our cuckoo clocks or to hear their sounds. We will be happy to assist you with your selection and will provide a VdS certificate to accompany your purchase for authenticity.