What to Consider Before You Buy a Cuckoo Clock
If you've wanted to buy a cuckoo clock but have been a little nervous, here are a few answers to help put your mind and ease?





Where should I buy my cuckoo clock?

Look around and you'll see sites like eBay filled with cuckoo clocks for sale. An authentic cuckoo clock for sale must originate from the Black Forest in Germany. That doesn't mean you have to fly to Germany to get them; that would be incredibly expensive, of course. Research the sellers of the cuckoo clocks, check reviews, customer feedback, and look at the pictures. The one thing you should see is the VDS Verein die Schwarzalduhr certification that proves the clock is an authentic Black Forest clock.



How often does the clock need to be wound?

That depends on whether you get a 1-day or 8-day clock. The 8-day cuckoo clocks tend to have bigger weights and you'll only need to wind them once a week. The 1-day cuckoo clocks need to be wound daily. You need to make sure that you wind the clocks before the weights have dropped too far or it will stop keeping time. Otherwise, winding a clock is a simple procedure that only takes a few seconds.



Are these clocks safe around children and animals?

Cuckoo clocks are safe around children and pets. You'll need to hand the clock a little higher to keep it out of the reach of both. Since the 8-day clocks have heavier weights, they aren't easy for cats to bat around so they may leave it along. Children and dogs are a different story, especially when the clock makes noise. What you can do is hook the base of the chains at the top of the weight to make it shorter (it will still function just fine) and just keep an eye out.



Where can I get it repaired?



While cuckoo clocks are built for sturdiness and quality, things can happen. If you've tried all the necessary do-it-yourself tactics and you clock still isn't working, you're need to bring in the professionals. The Black Forest Organization has a list of authentic repair shops located around the world. Just visit the site, choose your country and call them to see if they can help you. Make sure you ask for prices and follow the shipping instructions.



One last note: When buying your clock, make sure it comes with the proper paperwork, including the certificate and warranty. It's important that you have that proof to make sure that the clock you're getting is the real thing.