European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 20, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Carver s work area shows some tools of the Trade. Raimund Kobele drafts a new design. A Jigsaw operator cuts out a stencilled pattern. After the Long planks of Linden Wood Are properly seasoned and brought into the factory they Are Cut Down into smaller pieces and painted with the outline of various clocks. The Wood then is trimmed with rapid accuracy by craftsmen using a Jigsaw. The rough shaped pieces Are sent to the aromatic woodcarving shop where wooden chips and shavings quickly pile up beneath the Busy hands of the Carvers. The company also hires Carvers who take the rough pieces Home with them and return a week later with a finished product. The Light coloured pieces Are then stained Darker hues and pieced together with the clocks assembled mechanical movements placed inside. Finally the clocks Are packed and sold throughout the world. Sales to americans Are a bit slow this year because of the weak Dollar but Overall sales usually remain steady Herr said. When it comes to buying a clock it is helpful to know that while there Are thousands of cuckoo clocks ticking away in the Black Forest there Are Only three Basic styles to choose from. Viola Ellert a sales clerk at one of the Many clock stores in Triberg said the Way to Tell the style is to look at the top of the clock. The oldest style is the Bird style. It features a Surprise a a carved Bird crowning the clock s housing. Before these ornate hand carved clocks came into existence the timepieces had Only a painted Flat surface on the front. The second style is a copy of the Black Forest rooftop with shingled facing on the a shaped Peak. This style of roof is still seen on Homes throughout the area. The third features a Stag with Antlers and crossed rifles underneath. This style also May include rabbits or Birds beside the clock face or a Hunter standing on top of his prey sometimes the crossed rifles and dead animals Are left off because Ellert said they offend some shoppers. Although they Are called cuckoo clocks and Many of them make a cuckoo sound that is produced by tiny Bellows some clocks make other sounds such As music or the hooting of an owl. Some clocks have a switch that will silence them at night so they Don t disturb sleep. At the House of 1,000 clocks where Ellert works prices Range from 13.80 Marks about $8.60 for a Small simple clock to As much As 2,099 Marks about $1,311 for an ornate hand carved clock with painted figures resembling Hummel figurines. The most popular clock is a 19.80 Mark about $12.40 one with a roof. The most popular among americans is the musical eight Day clock said Ellert. An eight Day clock is one that needs winding every eight Days. She said americans tend to spend bet wet 400 and 500 Marks on their clocks. When shopping for a clock buyers should be War of salesmen claiming the Quality of their clocks is Superior to those in other stores in the Region. The outside parts of the clocks All come from either Schonwald Schonack or Triberg in the Black Forest and the inside mechanical parts come from Schonack so the Quality is about the same no matter where you go Ellert said. Quot it s just a Case of finding the clock you like and comparing the Price Quot she said. For people who Don t want to drag around a cuckoo clock during their vacation stores will pack and mail the clock at a Price that is determined by weight. To save on shipping costs Ellert recommended that the buyer detach the heavy counterweights that hang below the clock before having the store mail the rest. The counterweights Are sturdy and can be packed away or carried for the remainder of the vacation without fear of being damaged. Tourist can watch How cuckoo clock Are made by Topping by the Hubert Herr Uhren Tabriz showroom at Haupt Stra s. They pm eee clock in different Tagee of construction. Piu. If they Ere Pari of a Large group Obaer a Carver and assembler at work during their visit to Range a group visit Call 07722-4260 at least one Day in Advance reservations Are not necessary Tor individuals