Maintenance: 7 mistakes that damage a cuckoo clock
A Black Forest cuckoo clock can last for generations, provided you avoid a few careless moves that strain the mechanism, damage the wood or silence the bird. Here are the 7 most common mistakes, and how to avoid them.
1. Pulling on the weights or winding with jerks
Winding is done with the chains, never by lifting or pulling the weights themselves. Pull slowly and steadily, without jerking, so as not to strain the movement. Our guide explains how to wind your cuckoo clock properly.
2. Setting the time the wrong way
Never touch the hour hand: it follows the minute hand on its own. Only turn the minute hand and let the cuckoo call on every hour and half hour before continuing. On a musical model such as this woodchopper chalet, also wait for the melody to finish.
Finally, make sure the two hands do not touch: if they rub against each other, the clock stops.
3. Using the shut-off lever during the call
The shut-off lever silences the call and the music for the night. Avoid flipping it while the cuckoo is calling, and check that it is properly engaged: stuck between its two positions, it stops the cuckoo from calling.
4. Handling the clock carelessly
To move a cuckoo clock, hold it by the roof or the base, never by the carvings on the front. The antlers of a stag trophy or carved leaves are more fragile than they look. Do not bend the thin wires visible under the case or behind the door either.
Once the chains have been released, never lay the clock down again: they could slip off their wheels.
5. Forgetting the transport locks
A new cuckoo clock travels with clips on the bellows and a small catch on the bird’s door. While they are in place, the cuckoo does not call and the music does not play. Remove these transport locks before starting the clock, and keep them for any future move.
6. Oiling the movement yourself
One drop too many attracts dust, and the wrong oil can turn sticky and hinder the mechanism. Avoid household spray lubricants altogether. Instead, take the clock to a clockmaker for a service every two to three years: they clean off the old oil before applying just the right amount.
7. Placing it in the wrong spot
A draft is enough to stop the pendulum: choose a sheltered spot. Also keep the clock away from radiators, fireplaces, direct sunlight and damp rooms, which are hard on the wood. Finally, leave enough room for the weights: if they touch a piece of furniture, the clock stops before it is due to be wound.
To find the right spot in each room, read our tips on placing your cuckoo clock.
