An authentic cuckoo clock is a thing of wonder. An engineering and artistry marvel that spans generations! The family heirlooms can be expensive to buy, but the clocks still made in the Black Forest region of Germany are worth the price tag.

“Black Forest cuckoo clocks are still made in the traditional style that began hundreds of years ago.” Each piece is meticulously crafted and assembled by skilled artisans that have dedicated their lives to the clock making craft.

The first step in creating the very cuckoo clock you may be looking to buy is selecting the wood.

A skilled craftsman selects the pieces of wood to be used for a clock. These pieces of wood may have spent years curing before they can be chosen.  No matter which style of cuckoo clock you are looking to buy, all will start with the selection of the wood. The woodworker then cuts the approximate length and shape that will be needed to make the cuckoo clock. Nowadays, most woodworkers use a mix of power and hand tools to get the job done. The cabinet for the clock works is the first to be created.

Next, the woodworker will begin the construction of the outer frame.

This is easily recognized as being the decorative part of the clock. Because of the high level of artistry involved, this process is usually drawn out on paper before the first cuts are made. These can come in a variety of style and colors!

“Many cuckoo clocks craftsmen work with handmade stencils and designs that have been handed down for decades and maybe even centuries.” After settling on a design on paper, the sketches are hand drawn on the wood and the shaping can begin. This process can take hours to complete, it’s typically the first portion of the cuckoo clock to be judged and noticed before people choose to buy. Many clockmakers consider the artistic look of the clock just as important as the inner workings of the piece.

Once the frame is carved, it is then stained and left to dry. Only after this process can the clock assembly truly begin.

In the older days of cuckoo clock making, entire clocks may have been assembled by one family of clock masters. Now, the inner workings of the clock are usually put together by a manufacturer, but still by hand, for a true Black Forest cuckoo clock. Woodworkers can buy the preassembled innards of the clock and simply fit them into the hand-carved case.

The part of the clock that actually makes the cuckoo call is normally attached to the top. This will include pipes and bellows for the cuckoo call and sometimes a music box. After the cuckoo itself is attached, other embellishments may be added, such as animated figures or woodland scenes. The weight and chains are then added and final the pendulum and weights take their place.

Black Forest cuckoo clocks must meet incredibly high standards before making it up on a shelf for anyone to buy. With old-world traditions still intact, cuckoo clocks made today can still become the family heirlooms of tomorrow.