Marcus Tempus
A wonderfully elaborate 8-day Black Forest musical cuckoo clock, bringing together traditional German clockmaking with an exceptionally detailed hand-crafted village scene.
The chalet is surrounded by hand-painted fir trees and populated with an extraordinary collection of wooden figures, including musicians, villagers and dancing couples. At the front, a traditional dancing platform comes to life as the music plays, while a working waterwheel turns alongside the dancers, creating a miniature animated Black Forest scene.
At the hour, the cuckoo announces the time before the clock's 36-tone music box begins to play. The musical mechanism alternates between two melodies, accompanied by the rotating dancers and moving waterwheel.
Traditional details continue throughout the clock, with a wooden dial, Roman numerals, wooden hands and cuckoo bird complementing the richly carved chalet and forest setting.
Powered by a traditional 8-day mechanical movement, the clock requires winding approximately once a week and includes an automatic night shut-off, allowing the cuckoo and musical functions to remain silent overnight.
More than simply a clock, this piece feels like a miniature Black Forest theatre. When the hour arrives, the cuckoo, music, dancers and turning waterwheel transform the carved chalet into a wonderfully nostalgic mechanical performance — exactly the sort of traditional craftsmanship that makes a large musical cuckoo clock so captivating.
Marcus Tempus · Masters of Time
Few clocks have as much personality as a traditional Black Forest cuckoo clock. Timekeeping, carving, sound and movement come together in an object designed not simply to tell the time, but to become part of the home.
HEKAS has handmade cuckoo clocks in Schonach since 1938, continuing a clockmaking tradition rooted in Germany's Black Forest.
Keep the clock dry and away from strong heat, damp and prolonged direct sunlight. Dust carved surfaces gently and never apply household oil to the movement.
Clockmaking developed into an important Black Forest craft centuries ago. HEKAS traces its own cuckoo clock production in Schonach to 1938. Today the company produces its clocks in the Black Forest, from traditional souvenir designs to highly detailed mechanical pieces.
A historic centre of Black Forest cuckoo clockmaking and the home of HEKAS.
Weights provide the power while a pendulum regulates the rate of the clock.
The familiar call is created mechanically, while selected clocks add music and animated scenes.
A mechanical clock can be maintained and serviced, allowing it to remain part of a home for generations.
HEKAS states that its genuine Black Forest cuckoo clocks carry the seal of the Black Forest Clock Association (VdS), guaranteeing Black Forest origin, quality and a traditional mechanical movement.
Designed to be wound by raising the weights approximately once each day.
Designed for a longer running period, with the weights typically raised approximately once a week.
Selected models combine the cuckoo mechanism with a mechanical musical movement and animated features.
The mechanical heart of the clock, controlling timekeeping and the strike sequence.
Produce the two notes that create the characteristic cuckoo call.
Provide the gravitational power that drives the clock and its complications.
Regulates the rate at which the clock runs.
Adds resonance and punctuation to the cuckoo call on traditional designs.
On selected models, dancers, waterwheels and other figures bring the clock to life.
Select a secure wall away from damp, strong heat and prolonged direct sunlight.
Use a fixing suitable for the wall and the combined weight of the clock and its hanging weights.
Carefully remove transport restraints and ensure the chains are free and untwisted.
Fit each weight to the correct chain hook in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Hang the pendulum carefully from its suspension beneath the case.
Gently set the pendulum moving and listen for a steady, even beat.
A traditional mechanical cuckoo clock is made to be maintained, not discarded. Thoughtful everyday care and professional attention when required can help preserve its sound, movement and character for years to come.
Our clock workshop specialises in traditional mechanical clock care and restoration. From longcase and French clocks to Atmos clocks, musical boxes, dials and cases, our approach is careful, sympathetic and respectful of the character of each piece.
When your cuckoo clock eventually requires professional attention, speak to our workshop for assessment and advice.
Explore Our Clock Workshop →A 1-day clock is raised approximately daily; an 8-day movement has a much longer running period.
Check that the weights and chains are free, the pendulum can swing and the clock is hanging securely. Avoid forcing anything.
Small rate adjustments are normally made at the pendulum. Follow the instructions for your model or ask our workshop.
Many models provide a manual or automatic night shut-off, depending on the individual clock.
Do not force the hands or mechanism. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your particular model.
Remove the weights and pendulum and secure the chains before moving the clock.
