Understanding More about the Verein die Schwarzwalduhr

Understanding More about the Verein die Schwarzwalduhr

 

 

For more than three centuries the Black Forest has been known as the home of the mechanical cuckoo clock. However, the mass production of quartz movement cuckoo clock flooded the market and makes the expensive mechanical clocks less attractive. In 1987, in an effort to protect Black Forest as a brand, a special group was formed to create a special designation for clocks that were made specifically in the regions of Triberg and Titisee-Neustadt. Black Forest clock association, "Verein die Schwarzwalduhr" (VDS), endows members with the VDS certificate with seal.

Association members produce over 90 percent of all Black Forest clocks and the certificate is given to clocks that are made of wood from Black Forest, completely mechanical with Swiss movements and adhere to certain standards of quality. The process of creating a cuckoo clock includes four main steps. The carving of the wood surface is central to the process because the wood is outlined and then cut repeatedly until the right design is achieved. Woodcarvers apprentice for three years before attaining the title.

Next, the mechanical movement is made by the clockmaker while the wooden case is built. Finally, all three parts are assembled and adjusted by the clockmaker. Just like woodcarvers, being a clockmaker for Black Forest clocks requires a specialized education. Back in mid-nineteenth century, the Duke of Baden founded a school in Furtwangen, where students could learn the necessary skills to become clockmakers, including math, case-making and clock movement. Today, there are many clock making schools around Europe where students can go through the process of apprenticeship and examination before becoming qualified to work on Black Forest clocks. Because this is such an intricate process steeped in tradition, there is no chance that a quartz or solar clock will ever have the VDS seal.

Nearly 20 years after its inception, the VDS seal was awarded German trademark. The VDS claim that over a quarter of a million clocks with the seal have been sold and all clocks sold after 2006 with the seal, have the ® symbol. The prices of authentic VDS clocks vary but those with an appreciation can visit the German Clock Museum located in Furtwangen. There they can marvel at the world-time-clock, which was built in 1787 and is considered the most valuable Black Forest clock ever made.walduhr
For more than three centuries the Black Forest has been known as the home of the mechanical cuckoo clock. However, the mass production of quartz movement cuckoo clock flooded the market and makes the expensive mechanical clocks less attractive. In 1987, in an effort to protect Black Forest as a brand, a special group was formed to create a special designation for clocks that were made specifically in the regions of Triberg and Titisee-Neustadt. Black Forest clock association, "Verein die Schwarzwalduhr" (VDS), endows members with the VDS certificate with seal.

Association members produce over 90 percent of all Black Forest clocks and the certificate is given to clocks that are made of wood from Black Forest, completely mechanical with Swiss movements and adhere to certain standards of quality. The process of creating a cuckoo clock includes four main steps. The carving of the wood surface is central to the process because the wood is outlined and then cut repeatedly until the right design is achieved. Woodcarvers apprentice for three years before attaining the title.

Next, the mechanical movement is made by the clockmaker while the wooden case is built. Finally, all three parts are assembled and adjusted by the clockmaker. Just like woodcarvers, being a clockmaker for Black Forest clocks requires a specialized education. Back in mid-nineteenth century, the Duke of Baden founded a school in Furtwangen, where students could learn the necessary skills to become clockmakers, including math, case-making and clock movement. Today, there are many clock making schools around Europe where students can go through the process of apprenticeship and examination before becoming qualified to work on Black Forest clocks. Because this is such an intricate process steeped in tradition, there is no chance that a quartz or solar clock will ever have the VDS seal.

Nearly 20 years after its inception, the VDS seal was awarded German trademark. The VDS claim that over a quarter of a million clocks with the seal have been sold and all clocks sold after 2006 with the seal, have the ® symbol. The prices of authentic VDS clocks vary but those with an appreciation can visit the German Clock Museum located in Furtwangen. There they can marvel at the world-time-clock, which was built in 1787 and is considered the most valuable Black Forest clock ever made.