European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 20, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Black Coos what makes them tick and How to buy ones amps photos by Jim Derheim by Chuck Roberts staff writer Klaus w. Herr will sell no clock before its time. It takes three to five years for the Hubert Herr clock factory in Triberg Germany to transform a fallen Linden tree into the ornately carved cuckoo clock that is symbolic of the Black Forest. That Means from the time the tree hits the ground almost 43,800 hours will pass before the clock is Complete. Most of that time is spent outside the factory where the Wood is stacked and stored for As Long As five years to ensure that it has properly hardened to prevent cracking and warping. Cherry Walnut Oak and Pines also Are used. Plastic is not allowed. A it is very important for us to use Only Wood Quot said Herr whose Grandfather founded the company in 1916. Herr has a touch of Pride in his voice when he tells people that his family owned business is the last factory in Europe where every facet of clock construction is done under one roof. Cutting trimming carving painting assembling and everything else is done at the Herr factory where the 80 employees produce As Many As 100,000 clocks each year. And each clock is a Little bit different thanks to master Carver Raimund Kobele and his staff who hand make each clock. After a three year apprenticeship Kobele spent three years As a Carver and two More years As an apprentice master Carver before attaining his current status. It is his Job to carve the More expensive clocks and create new designs that Are exhibited at shows worldwide. On a recent thursday afternoon outside his Corner of the workshop Kobele was working on a design that required eight to 10 Days to Complete. It is this old fashioned method that makes the clocks so popular Herr said. Cuckoo clocks today closely resemble those made when the concept began almost 250 years ago and the method for making them has t changed much during that time he said. Quot it is a special feeling to have such a clock Quot Herr said. He said people enjoy hearing the ticking noise of the clocks and seeing the Small cuckoo Bird emerge from its Birdhouse to sound the time of Day a something modern clocks just Don t do. 6 stripes Magazine february 20, 1992