This intricate chalet style mechanical cuckoo clock by Hekas is painstakingly produced in the Black Forest
region of Germany. Featuring several moving elements, the cuckoo plays on the hour and the half hour, along with one of two songs: “In Muenchen steht ein Hofbraeuhaus” and “Trink Bruederlein Trink.” The clock is almost square at 30 cm (12 in.) high and 34 cm (13 in.) wide and weighs in at 5 kg (just over 11 pounds).
The clock is shaped like a house, or chalet, with window boxes full of flowers. At the top, just under the roof, the cuckoo waits behind two little doors. Just below it, four dancers move along a balcony at the hour and half hour. On the bottom level, two men drink beer while a water wheel turns on the left. All figurines are hand-painted.
Every movement, from the clock hands and pendulum to the cuckoo and dancers is done mechanically. Instead of using batteries or electricity, this one-day-movement clock must be wound once a day to keep moving. This simple job consists of pulling the chains down to their full length. A mechanical night shutoff switch is located on the side in case the music and cuckoo sound are disturbing any sleepers.
The Black Forest region has been famous for its delicately carved cuckoo clocks since the early eighteenth century. This clock is designed and produced by Hekas, which has been managed by
three generations of the Kammerer family since its founding in 1938.
Tags: 1-day cuckoo clock, Chalet Style, cuckoo clock, hekas
