How Are Cuckoo Clocks Made?

Have you ever asked: “how are cuckoo clocks made?” Let's find out and discuss why this traditional German clock is so special.

If you landed on our blog, you probably already love cuckoo clocks and find them fascinating pieces of timeless history. The Black Forest made cuckoo clocks well-known, and they are still loved across the world for their craftsmanship and artistry. The best cuckoo-clock makers remain in the Black Forest region of Germany and meet the high standards set out by the Black Forest Clock Association. You might be wondering how these beautiful cuckoo clocks are made. Read on to learn more.

A Brief History of the Cuckoo Clock

In the 18th century, the first cuckoo clock of the design that we know and love today was created by clockmaker Franz Anton Ketterer of Schonwald. Farmers in Germany were making clocks with wooden gears before this, and many clock components, invented by various people, were brought together to create the Black Forest cuckoo clock manufactured today. When the cuckoo clock was exported to other parts of the world, it became an icon for German culture and artistry.

What Are the Different Parts of the Cuckoo Clock?

Making a cuckoo clock requires a lot of skill and many different types of parts. The classic cuckoo clock works with a symphony of moving parts that all have to work together in perfect harmony. The movement box is the heart of the clock. It is a system of brass and steel gears that move in conjunction with the parts on the outside — the pendulum, weights, chains, and clock hands. It’s the synchronicity of all these components, along with gravity, that makes the clock work and show the correct time.

Pendulum: The speed at which the pendulum moves back and forth determines how the hands move on the clock face, so it must swing at a steady, even pace. The maple leaf on the pendulum is moved up or down to adjust the swing rate.

Weights: The weights serve two purposes — for time-keeping and to control the cuckoo. If you want a musical cuckoo clock, you’ll purchase one with three weights instead of two. Weights are normally shaped like long pinecones.

Chains: The chains connect to the chain gear that works the internal operations, and the weights hang from the chains.

Movement: This refers to the inside mechanics of the clock. Traditional cuckoo clocks come in 1 day running times or 8 day running times.

You also have the cuckoo and the clock hands, along with the wooden case of the clock. Every part of the clock works together to tell you the time and produce the cuckoo sound each hour.

Related: How Do Cuckoo Clocks Work?

How Are Cuckoo Clocks Made?

Cuckoo clocks are made with a lot of skill and precision. If it’s a traditional cuckoo clock, it will have been made by hand using the same techniques that have been passed down over centuries. Many of our quartz clocks are also made by hand, but you can come across cheap knock-offs online that do not carry the seal of authenticity. If you want a real Black Forest cuckoo clock, make sure you buy from a reputable shop and look for the Black Forest Clock Association certificate of authenticity.

Now let’s discuss how cuckoo clocks are made, what materials are used, and how they are designed and manufactured.

What Raw Materials Are Used for Cuckoo Clocks?

The frames of German cuckoo clocks are made from wood, usually from the Linden tree, but sometimes parts are made with walnut or pine wood. The pipes and bellows inside that help the cuckoo call out are also made from wood. Most of the other parts are brass, lead, or some other metal or material. This includes the movement and mechanical parts, music box, clock hands, weight, chains, and more.

Design Process

The design of the clock is part of the tradition of making Black Forest cuckoo clocks. You can easily recognize a theme in the elements of the design — an A-frame or chalet house with characters outside doing various activities, or hunting and animal scenes. The detail that goes into the clock design can range from simple to very intricate, and this is usually reflected in the price of the clock.

First, the designer creates a stencil of the design for the clock’s surface then draws it onto the wood. Next, they begin to carve out the cuckoo-clock design. The designer may use up to fifty different styles of carving knives to decorate the part on the front of the clock. Once the case and front are finished, the wood is stained and dried.

The clockmaker is the one that creates the internal movement of the clock. The movement gets mounted inside the case, the pipes and bellows are attached to the top of the clock for the sound component, and many other elements get attached and adjusted. The cuckoo gets set in place, and the pieces are all joined together, then the clockmaker checks to make sure it’s in working order.

Quality Control

There are six cuckoo-clock manufacturers in the Black Forest that hold certificates to show that they are using the same craftsmanship of the traditional cuckoo clocks from the 1700s. This means that they are hand-made with materials from the Black Forest, and no shortcuts are taken in the design and production. If you want a clock that has the seal of approval, buy from one of these manufacturers: Anton Schneider, August Schwer, Engstler, Hones, Hekas and Rombach & Haas.