Cuckoo Clocks are available in
different styles with different movements. Some designs are quite common
– like the Dear Head Top – but over the time many different
colors, styles and basic characteristics find their way to the hearts
of the customer. For sure the cuckoo clock manufacturers were always eager
to create new models to find new customers.
The basic difference between the clocks – beside the attributes
on the clock front side, the different paintings and house styles are
the movements.
| These different movements / models are
available |
Generally Black Forest cuckoo clocks are driven by
a mechanical movement which is run by weights under the clocks. To keep
them working you have to pull up the weights from time to time. With 8-day
cuckoo clocks you have to do this once a week, with 1-day cuckoo clocks
each 24 hours.
Attention:
The quality of the movement is a very important
aspect. The movement is like the heart of your clock. So make sure
that you buy a clock with an original swiss movement. Do not hesitate
to ask in the shop if they can tell you where the movement comes form.
Mostly with the movement comes a certificate, or you see a kind of
stamp at the movement. A original swiss movement guarantees you also
a 1-2 year warranty on the movement. Cheap movements won't do that.
|
Typical clock movement |
 |
1-Day Movement Clocks
All "1-day" Cuckoo Clocks are fitted with a quality mechanical
movement that requires winding every 24 hours. At the full hour a
little door opens to reveal the cuckoo bird on a perch which calls
the number of hours (for example; at 12 o'clock you will hear 12 cuckoo
calls). The cuckoo bird also calls once on the half-hour. No music
comes with this clock. A 1-Day Clock is mostly the cheapest cuckoo
clock you can get – regarding the fact if you want additional
music or an 8 day movement. You only have two little weights hanging
under the clock. One is to keep time – the other for the cuckoo. |
to the Top
1-Day Musical Clocks
"1-Day Musical" Cuckoo Clocks feature two quality mechanical
movements that require winding daily. At the full hour, a cuckoo
bird calls the number of hours followed by a melody (for example;
at 5 o'clock you will hear 5 cuckoo calls). On the half-hour, the
cuckoo calls once and then a second melody plays. The two tunes
are produced by tiny notes plucked by a rotating drum. Over the
years a lot of melodies were produced – the most wanted tunes
are “Edelweis” and “The Happy Wanderer”.
Most clocks are standard equipped with those two songs. Different
clock companies offer different melody combinations – but
this will take extra time while ordering and additional costs. These
clocks have always a “M” in the ordering no combination.
“M” stands for music. Three weights are visible under
the clock – one for the melody, one for the time movement
and one for the cuckoo.
|
|
to the Top
8-Day Clocks
All "8-day" Cuckoo Clocks are fitted with a mechanical movement
that requires winding every 8 days. At the full hour a little door
opens to reveal the cuckoo bird on a perch which calls the number
of hours (for example at 3 o'clock you will hear 3 cuckoo calls).
The cuckoo bird also calls once on the half-hour. The visible difference
between 1-Day to 8-Day clocks are mostly the size of the weights.
They 8-Day clock weights are bigger thus more heavy than the 1 day
weights. So don´t worry if the shipping costs are higher than
for a 1 day clock. These clocks have always a “A” or an
“8” in the ordering no combination. “A” stands
for 8-Day movement. |
to the Top
8-Day Musical Clocks
In general there is except the music not much difference between this
clock and the standard 8-Day clocks. "8-Day Musical" Cuckoo
Clocks feature two quality mechanical movements that require winding
every 8 days. At the full hour, a cuckoo bird calls the number of
hours followed by a melody. On the half-hour the cuckoo calls once.
The two tunes, playing alternatively each hour, are produced by tiny
notes plucked by a rotating drum. With this kind of clock you always
purchase a “full-package-clock”, which means there is
nothing better to get. 3 heavy weights are visible under the clock
– so these clocks are always pretty expensive to ship due to
there weight. These clocks have always a “MA” or an “M8”
in the ordering no combination. “A” stands for 8-Day movement
and “M” for music.
If you find a “T” in the ordering no – which is
most common in this price category – it indicates that something
is moving or turning on your clock. This could be dancers, or a water-mill
or movable animals. |
 Moving
music dancers |
to the Top
Quartz Cuckoo Clocks
Quartz cuckoo clocks are driven by batteries. They are not as authentic
as mechanical cuckoo clocks, the "feeling" is quite different
because they are using an animated cuckoo made of plastic and a recorded
cuckoo sound. Nowadays more and more old fashion clocks are equipped with
this kind of movement. Most batteries will last approximately 1 year depending
on conditions. All are fitted with manual volume control and shut-off
switch. One thing that is unique about same quartz cuckoos is that it
has a photo-cell which is a light sensor so you also have an automatic
night shut-off. When you turn your lights off at night, it automatically
turns off the cuckoo call. During the call of cuckoo the double doors
open and the cuckoo bird comes out. With same models the cuckoo bird actually
flaps his wings as he cuckoos to the sound of running water in the background.
The call itself is the acutal recording of a cuckoo bird in the wilds.
to the Top
Mantle Clocks
This clock category do not belong consequently to the cuckoo clock
family. Mantle clocks have in many cases been considered a memory
of the past until recently. Some cuckoo clock manufacturers have
introduced an amazing range of exciting and innovative mantle clocks
to suit any style of interior, both traditional and contemporary.
The selections are made up ranging form “1-Day” to "8-day"
mechanical clocks with or without music. Some of them feature traditional
designs like cuckoo clock houses as well the well-known Westminster
chimes. Distinctive mantle clocks are fitted with "triple chime
movements" or highly polished "bell movements" adding
an extra sense of elegance and class, sure to impress family and
friends. These clocks can be made out of solid hardwood case with
brown cherry finish, are equipped with Roman dials, alarms and polished
goldtone bezels. Attributes you will hardly find on a traditional
cuckoo clock.
|
 |
to the Top
 |
Grandfather Clocks
Like the just mentioned Mantle clocks, Grandfather Clocks have
also stamped their unique appeal over many years and are becoming
more and more popular every day. The increasing demand for exquisite
distinguished furniture leads the clock manufacturer to offer an
extensive range of stylish clocks. Experienced and refined craftsmen
decorate exclusive Grandfather clocks with the highest quality movements,
assuring an experience of warmth and ambience in your own home.
Like cuckoo clocks, each Grandfather Clock is hand-assembled, adjusted
and controlled by expert clockmakers to guarantee the perfect function
of these impressive timepieces. Most available clocks are fitted
with an "8-day" mechanical movement that requires winding
every 8 days. A standard Grandfather clock is fitted with a triple
chime, chain driven movement, regular polished brass weights and
pendulum and a blue moon phase.
|
to the Top
|
