Cuckoo Clocks

The cuckoo clocks are mainly designed in two ways. The first is the Railway House design and the other is the Chalet Style design. These then are further decorated with the jungle or the German home lifestyle theme. The designs also featured pendulums attached to the mechanism, within the body of the clock, thus the swinging of the pendulum regulated the indication of the passage of time.

Most cuckoo clocks are handcrafted from good quality wood. Traditionally, the trunk of the Lime tree, or Maple tree, is used in the clock making, as these woods can be easily carved. All the clocks feature the famous cuckoo call. This distinctive sound is made by air chambers, which squeeze air through a whistle. Two bellows are used to produce both sounds, first comes the “cu” and then the “cukoo”. Many traditional clocks have the cuckoo birds with moving wings as well. Others usually feature eagles, sparrows or owls. The modern designs use other moving figures like dancing couples as attractions. Some even play musicals when the hour is struck. However, these sounds are either tape-recorded or produced electronically. The more expensive clocks use a music box idea to produce the tunes. Most clocks come with the sound turn off option that enables the users to shut off the sound or the music during their rest hours. Very few also have automatic night shut off feature as well.

The cuckoo clocks, for many people, are very much the most favorite clock hangings. Their prices are determined by the wood used in crafting, the extensive handicraft and hand painting done in the making of such a special clock, the birds or the figurines used and the number of musical options. The price also depends on the night shut off feature, the clock’s size, the dials, as well as the hands.