Why Black Forest Cuckoo Clock is Your Ideal Gift

You’re probably asking yourself right now, ‘why the heck am I gonna give someone special a clock in this era?’ We have our phones to look at the time. And it’s not that they can bring it with them wherever they go; it would just probably stay in the house… disregarded. But wait up, we are talking about Germany’s cuckoo clock here. What’s the difference then? Read along…

Cuckoo clocks originated in the Black Forest region of Germany. Although the history of the cuckoo clock is interesting, we won’t talk about it here. Instead, we will look at the value of authentic cuckoo clocks and why it is the perfect gift you can give to your family, friends, or special someone.

Meaningful

The cuckoo clock in itself is already special. It’s viewed as an iconic piece in Germany and one of the best inventions in the world. And you probably haven’t noticed, but it is everywhere.

It has often featured in Western culture – literature, cinema, theatre, art, music, and many more. It’s not only seen as a timepiece, rather an allegory of innocence, childhood, old age, fun, madness, among others.

A piece of art 

Black Forest cuckoo clocks are hand-carved and painted up to this day. They are carved with intricacy. German master carvers devote a lot of time, effort, and sweat to ensure that every detail of the cuckoo clock is perfect. After all the necessary materials have been gathered, it would take them a few weeks to make this mechanically-driven piece of art.

Long-lasting 

Unlike every-day clocks, cuckoo clocks are designed to last at least 30 years. That is, of course, if you maintain them properly. They can be passed down from generation to generation.

So aside from giving a long-lasting gift, you’d also be remembered by the receiver’s kids and even grandkids who gave them the cuckoo clock. Another thing to add to your legacy!   

Unique 

Cuckoo clocks are not commonly bought as a present. It’s even regarded as old-fashioned in this modern world by some. But that makes it more unique and valuable! Plus, there’s a tiny chance that someone else would bring a similar gift unless the celebrant is a clock collector.

Not Cheap 

Yes, you’ve read it right: a cuckoo clock is not a cheap gift, literally and figuratively. In fact, it was originally gifted to royalty. So if you are looking for a low-cost gift, this one is not for you. Black Forest cuckoo clocks can be quite expensive – but the price justifies their artistic and lasting values.

Of course, you can choose one which suits your budget. A quick guide: the more carvings and features like musical or moving elements are present in the clock, the more expensive it is.  

Those are just some of the reasons why the cuckoo clock is the best gift you can give to someone you care about. It’s not a mere home décor made to be unnoticed or unappreciated (you can’t really ignore the sound of ‘cuckoo’).Remember, gifts are meaningless if they are given just for the sake of it. You want them to feel special, and you can do that by bringing a present that can make them smile – which is worth more than any penny.

Originally published on Deutsche Way https://www.deutscheway.com/german-food-drink/why-black-forest-cuckoo-clock-is-your-ideal-gift/

How Much is Your Black Forest Cuckoo Clock Worth? (6 factors to consider)

Do you own a genuine German cuckoo clock and want to know its value? Let’s begin with the good news: if your Black Forest Cuckoo Clock is a genuine antique, you’ll be thrilled to know that it could fetch anywhere between $150 to a cool $3,000; so checking its authenticity and features before you put a price on it would be one hugely-clever move! Here’s a list of things you could look for: 

• Origin

If your clock has been manufactured in the Black Forest (BF) or Schwarzwald as it is also known, you’ve plenty of reason to celebrate because this region is home to the best cuckoo clocks in the world, including your own! For almost three-hundred years, its woodcarvers and clockmakers established and maintained the fabulous standards of excellence by which these clocks are measured.

• Manufacturer

Check for the name of the manufacturer. The most renowned makers of Black Forest cuckoo clocks are August Schwer, Hurbert Herr, Rombach & Haas (Romba), Hones (Hoenes and Hones), Anton Schneider, Hekas (Helmut Kammerer), and Trenkle Uhren. If you’ve got one that’s made by any of these manufacturers, CONGRATULATIONS!  You are the proud owner of one of the finest and most beautiful creations in the realm of clocks. 

• Certification

But, hold on a second. With so many cheap imitations out there, is there a way of knowing that yours is the “real thing”? Yes, there is–it should have certification from the Black Forest Clock Association known as VdS or Verein dieSchwarswalduhrits. This certifies that your timepiece is a genuine Black Forest creation. What’s more, it guarantees that the components, mechanics, and construction are of the excellence and tradition that the region is famous for. A Black Forest clock is considered an original only if it’s got VdS certification. You should check the back of your clock to see if it contains a VdS serial number which would, in turn, help any potential but cautious buyer to verify your clock’s manufacturer. 

• Styles

Buyers and collectors tend to gravitate toward certain styles of cuckoo clocks, so figuring out the style of yours might help. Demand seems to be weighted toward the Traditional (also known as the Classic or Carved) style, and Chalet style clocks. Traditional clocks feature wildlife, hunting, and nature, and Chalet clocks are more to do with figurines and detailed carvings. But don’t underestimate the demand for styles like Vintage Reproduction clocks or Railroad House clocks which are also healthily sought-after items. You may also be the possessor of the Shield style which is the oldest version of the clock, or the Modern style which consists of the latest editions. These too certainly have their own niche markets.

• Movement

The next step is to understand the importance of your cuckoo clock’s movement. Original BF clocks have a mechanical clock movement ( yes, there was life before batteries!). It will be useful to know the two types of manual winding they operate by. One is called the 1-day movement ( daily winding), and the other is the 8-day movement (weekly winding). The second category fetches a better price because of the superior quality of its parts. Quartz cuckoo clocks, on the other hand, are considered the poor cousins of mechanical ones. They may save owners some elbow grease, but you can be sure that these battery-powered versions are from manufacturers who have compromised on the quality or standards of Black Forest clocks, or, they could be cheap copies. Remember that the quartz versions are NEVER given VdS certification. 

• Animation

Let’s progress to your clock’s animation. Apart from the cuckoo bird, does your clock have other moving characters like woodcutters or a pair of lovers? The number of characters in your clock and the level of animation can affect its price because the more figures or detailed carvings there are mean that there’s been greater time and skill invested in it. Similarly, musical clocks are more expensive than non-musical ones, and the more the number of notes or tones your clock can play the higher the price you could expect. Just to give you an idea of the number of tones you could listen out for–most clocks range from 18 to 36 notes. How does yours rate?
Ultimately, your clock’s working condition, size, and appearance too will significantly impact its final price, but we hope that this checklist would help you begin the process of figuring out the true market-worthiness of your Black Forest cuckoo clock.

Originally published on Deutsche Way https://www.deutscheway.com/german-food-drink/how-much-is-your-black-forest-cuckoo-clock-worth-6-factors-to-consider/