A Guide to German Cuckoo Clocks

(and extra info the 'big guys' won't tell you)

WILLKOMMEN!! You made it! Whether you're here because you're looking for a specific clock, you know you want one now (or later) and aren't sure which one to get, or just 'window-shopping', you've made it to the perfect place to help guide you on your authentic German Cuckoo Clock purchasing experience. 

Lindenhaus Imports has been nestled on Main Street of the popular tourist-town of Helen in the North Georgia mountains for over 30 years. We've met with millions of folks over the years helping them purchase their very first cuckoo clock and others who keep coming back for anniversaries and birthday gifts. With that much experience and relationships made, we’ve found there are some questions that everyone has when buying a cuckoo clock.

Below you'll find a simple guide to help you navigate the clocks and narrow down what features you're looking for. Building relationships and providing individual customer care matters most to us! That means if you have ANY questions or want more info about our clocks, call us! James, Heather, Ashley, or one of our dedicated team members are happy to help you! 

What does 1-Day, 8-Day, and Quartz mean?

These terms refer to the cuckoo clock’s Movement or Mechanism- which determines how the clock keeps time and how often it needs to be wound by pulling the chains attached to the clock with the pinecone weights.

1-Day Movement: This means your clock will need to be wound (pull the chains) every 24-hours, on average. These are perfect if you’re a newly wed couple or making your first major purchase for your new home as they’re more budget friendly while still exhibiting the handcrafted carvings cuckoo clocks are known for.

8-Day Movement: This means your clock will need to be wound (pull the chains) once a week, on average. If winding your clock every day isn’t something you want to do, the 8-Day clocks would better suit your needs. The cast iron pinecone weights go down much slower than the 1-Day clocks, so you won’t have to wind it nearly as often. Some sites advertise more hours between winding, which is not true of any 8-Day clock. You'd have to hang the cuckoo at almost 9 feet tall to get more hours from it. 

Quartz: This means your cuckoo clock is battery-operated. Unlike the 1- and 8-Day Movements, there’s no winding to keep the clock going. The chains and weights on these are for decorative purposes only. And YES! Even though these use batteries, they are still handcrafted from Germany and come with a certificate of authenticity from the Black Forest Association. It is important to note that the music and cuckoo call differs from the Mechanical (1- and 8-Day) cuckoo clocks. These have been great for folks who are purchasing a clock for a vacation home or for families with little ones since there aren’t any long chains.

Do all cuckoo clocks play music?

No.

How can you tell which clocks play music?

Pro Tip: you can tell a lot about a cuckoo clock just by looking at the cast iron pinecone weights! Whether it plays music or not is one of them. If the clock has 2 weights, it does not play music. If you see 3 weights, it plays music. 

What songs do they play?

Mechanical cuckoo clocks rotate 2 popular German folk songs: “Edelweiss” and “Fröhlicher Wanderer” (The Happy Wanderer). Quartz clocks rotate 12 traditional German songs.

“I love the traditional cuckoo bird call! Just not at night. Is there anyway to silence the call/music?”

YES! Over the years, tourists have shared some of their most precious memories of their cuckoo clock experience- and one of them is how the cuckoo call kept them up at night! Always said with a chuckle and nostalgia in their eyes, most of them are Glücklick! Glücklick! Glücklick! (German for happy) to discover that cuckoo clocks now have a Night Shutoff lever or Light Sensor, giving you the option to quiet the cuckoo and get a good night’s sleep.

How many styles of cuckoo clocks are there?

THIS is probably one of the most hardest decisions to make when purchasing your cuckoo clock. While there are multiple variations within each style, the 3 most popular ones are Traditional, Chalet, and the classic Biergarten (Beer Garden.)

Traditional-Style Cuckoo Clocks are the original and oldest style. Their classic and timeless elegance has been proven to last generation through generation. Among this style, the Hunter and Nature variations are purchased the most.

The Hunter features, well, the Hunter! Look closer and you’ll see hunting equipment like a rifle, powder bag, and even a horn. A stag or eagle is usually seen on the crown (top) of the clock. Other animals can include deer, rabbits, and pheasants- alive (right-side up) or ‘otherwise’ (upside down.) These hand carved features are a commemorative ode to the German hunting culture.

Nature clocks will have some sort of variation of the classic 5 leave/1 bird style. Some will have hand-painted Edelweiss flowers or berries, have moving birds and baby chicks toward the base of the clock, and/or will have classic animals such as bears, deer, owls, and squirrels.

Chalet-Style Cuckoo Clocks may not be considered the original, but they showcase some of the most cherished German traditions. They’re designed to imitate Alpine Mountain chalets, bell towers, or farmhouses with Black Forest or Swiss hand-laid shingled roof tops. Most chalet clocks have movement of some sort, and they all have a story to tell! Spinning mill and water wheels, ax-raising wood choppers, bell ringing Bavarian women, Even more, some chalets have moving figurines that match the clocks theme- check out the Hones ‘First Kiss’ Cuckoo Clock to see the young couple’s head turn to kiss in tandem with the cuckoo bird call! A well-known theme beloved worldwide is the Biergarten Chalet Style.

Biergarten themed clocks capture the essence and joy around Germany’s most beloved traditions celebrated all around the world... OKTOBERFEST! Most themes include Bavarian flags/colors, ‘Zenzi’ the beer-carrying maiden dressed in a traditional dirndl moving back-and-forth, and of course the staple Bierdrinkers (beer drinkers) in their lederhosen and Bavarian hats celebrating Oktoberfest one beer at a time!  

How do I know I'm buying a real German Cuckoo Clock?

In a world where a multitude of options and the allure of low prices are just a click away, it's tempting to chase after what seems like a bargain. If the look-alike appearance of a cuckoo clock is your sole concern, the market offers a vast array of choices. However, if you cherish the over 400-year-old tradition, meticulous craftsmanship, and genuine authenticity, then always, ALWAYS look for the VdS Schwarzwalduhr (Black Forest Association) Certificate of Authenticity emblem. This certificate is your assurance that the clock originated from the Black Forest.

Our collection of clocks is directly imported from Germany, exclusively from reputable manufacturers. Hönes, Anton Schneider, and Engstler are among the esteemed members adhering to the rigorous quality standards set by the Black Forest Association.

Because we're an acutal brick-and-mortar store, you get to enjoy one-on-one customer service for life. Shop with confidence knowing you're purchasing an authentic German cuckoo clock that you, your kids, and generations to come will cherish!! 

^{VdS Schwarzwalduhr (Black Forest Association)} 

^{Certificate of Authenticity}