Cuckoo clocks

Cuckoo clocks from Lignoma - original Black Forest cuckoo clocks

When you buy a cuckoo clock, you are investing in a hand-carved work of art that meets the highest quality standards for handcrafted clocks.

With a mechanical cuckoo clock from Lignoma, you are choosing:

• a Black Forest clock made by master craftsmen with local charm for clock connoisseurs who value tradition.
• a hand-carved cuckoo clock with wooden figures from the Val Gardena master workshop.
• an easy and quick order in our online shop and safe delivery direct to your home.

Where are the cuckoo clocks made?

Not all cuckoo clocks are created equal. In our shop, we only offer original cuckoo clocks from the Black Forest made by the Hönes company in Titisee-Neustadt - the origin of clock manufacturing in the Black Forest. All our mechanical cuckoo clocks carry the VDS certificate of authenticity. This seal states that the essential components of the clock, such as the case, movement, cuckoo whistles, pendulum and weights, were made with precise craftsmanship in the workshops of small family-run businesses in the Black Forest and are thus "made in Germany". Only the decorative accessories come from Ortisei in Val Gardena in Italy, where the wooden figures are lovingly hand-carved and painted by masters of their trade.

How does an original Black Forest clock work?

The original form of the cuckoo clock is a clock with a mechanical movement complete with weights and a pendulum, the manufacture of which requires a great deal of skill and experience. The clock is driven by weights hanging from chains. The chains are placed around cogwheels that drive the clockwork of the cuckoo clock. Over time, the weights gradually move towards the floor. For this reason, a mechanical cuckoo clock must be regularly wound by hand. However, winding up is quickly done. To set the weights in motion, all you have to do is pull the chain next to it.

Incidentally: Every cuckoo clock comes with an instruction manual that shows you exactly how to mount the clock on the wall and set the Black Forest clock in motion.

Buying advice: which cuckoo clock suits me?

Cuckoo clocks are timepieces with a fascinating interior and distinctive look. Which cuckoo clock suits you and enriches your home depends on various factors.

Large or small - what size do you want to buy your cuckoo clock in? Since the clock will be mounted on your wall, this question depends on your living space and personal preferences. A large and correspondingly heavy cuckoo clock is a real eye-catcher and creates a certain ambience in the room. A small cuckoo clock, on the other hand, is less dominant and takes up less space. Mini cuckoo clocks are also a wonderful gift idea for someone who appreciates a traditional timepiece.

Your choice will further depend on whether you want a small cuckoo clock with a 1-day movement or a large cuckoo clock with an 8-day movement. The small 1-day cuckoo clock with smaller weights needs to be wound once a day, while the large 8-day cuckoo clock with larger weights only needs to be wound once a week.

Style also plays a role: whether carved cuckoo clocks with traditional sculptures or chalet cuckoo clocks with a roof - what suits your lifestyle and interior design style best? That remains a question of personal taste. No matter what you ultimately decide on, cuckoo clocks make a unique accent inside your four walls and are perfect for those who appreciate something special.

Finally, you still have to decide whether you want a clock that offers musical entertainment in addition to the cuckoo call. If you are only interested in the cuckoo, a clock without music will suffice. On models with music, matching figures dance while the music plays - a truly unique display of visuals and acoustics.

Tip: You can turn off the music and cuckoo call on the clocks by switch - for example, during nighttime.

When were the first cuckoo clocks made?

Cuckoo clocks are considered traditionally German and a popular souvenir for tourists on holiday in Germany. Today, no one can say exactly when the first cuckoo clock was created or when the rich cuckoo clock tradition began. As early as 1619, Augustus, Elector of Saxony, owned a cuckoo clock. More than 30 years later, Athanasius Kircher described a mechanical organ with a cuckoo figure that moved its beak, wings and tail via a pull mechanism. The cuckoo call is produced by two organ pipes. The mechanism of the cuckoo clock, which has not changed to this day, was well known. In Schönwald in the Black Forest, clockmaker Franz Ketterer is said to have built the first cuckoo clock in 1737. The characteristic shape, the intricately carved wooden figures on the outside, the cuckoo call and the mechanical clockwork have survived to this day and are what give cuckoo clocks their homely charm. From the 19th century onwards, the shape of the clock was modelled on a railway attendant's cottage with a pitched roof - a global sensation was born.

We can help you with your questions!

Choosing the right cuckoo clock to bring you many years of enjoyment is not an easy decision and needs to be well thought out. If you have any further questions about our original Black Forest clocks, please feel free to contact our customer service at 0039-335-1412548 or send an email to info@lignoma.com.

We hope you enjoy your cuckoo clock and the daily call of the cuckoo.