When many of us think of cuckoo clocks we think of a roomful of clocks all chiming at once – the hour denoted by the sound of the cuckoo bird – in a home occupied by an eclectic – and slightly mad - clockmaker. The cuckoo clock is so a part of our cultural vernacular that it is referenced in books, movies, and televisions shows – often in this capacity. It is as much a part of American culture as any of our other perennial favorites.

The reality is, of course, that the cuckoo clock originated in Germany; first built in the late 1600s in a region known as the Black Forest. The origins of the cuckoo clock are largely unclear, but what is known is that this pendulum clock was created to mimic the sound of the cuckoo bird – the specific call that essentially defines the clock.

The mechanics of the cuckoo clock have largely remained unchanged since its inception but the popularity of the clock has remained steady through the centuries. Today, the cuckoo clock is still much beloved and placed in homes and public buildings as both a tribute to historical timekeeping and an ornate piece of décor.

Cuckoo clocks continue to be produced in traditional styles as well in more modern manifestations. Some of the traditional styles include townspeople and villages in miniature; some of the most artful designs consumers are likely to find on clocks of any kind. But whatever style of cuckoo clock that consumers choose to purchase they will find that it brings a touch of history and old world craftsmanship to their home.

Some time ago on Clocks Blog, it was shared that 1-800-4CLOCKS would like to offer both standard and customized clocks, to individual and corporate customers. The potential advantages to customer are clear. But how much would you want one?

There are companies out there today that have approaches not dissimilar to what we have been planning for years, specifically www.clocklink.com and www.worldtimeserver.com . Of course we will differentiate ourselves both in offerings and strategy.

Would you want to buy a customized web clock? For yourself? For your Company. We are currently planning to launch this effort on a new website at www.ClocksLive.com .

A flash clock will be added to the home page of the 1-800-4CLOCKS.com website, so individuals can see an example of what we are talking about.

Among the offerings we envision are real looking clocks that look real, and default to the set time on your personal computer’s stored time. We see also offering this with grandfather clocks, wall clocks, mantel clocks, atomic clocks, and much more. We are even thinking of starting a niche specialty site for grandfather clocks at www.GrandfatherClocksLive.com.

We would absolutely love and encourage feedback, including from anyone who would want to help turn this over time to the amazing opportunity that it is.

Please send us your thoughts on ClocksLive and GrandfatherClocksLive with any comments, suggestions, or recommendations. All clocks advice is appreciated. This will be just one more way each individual can Add Time to Your Life.

Just this morning we got a call from a lady who wanted to know if she could buy a clock she had seen somewhere once before which had twelve different types of frogs pictured on each hour, and with a different frog sound chimed on each hour.  Talk about a niche clock!

But it got us thinking.  What kinds of clocks that are not readily out there would you like to see?

Here are some types of clocks we have heard a need about.  Please email us or post on this blog if you see needs or markets for other types of everyday clocks.

1. How about helping to keep close to perfect time with a full size grandfather clock with Atomic Timekeeping aside from its obvious home decor value.

2. What about alarm clocks that do not make any ticking or other sounds.

3. Clocks to wake up the sleeping dead - alarm clocks that could help even the heaviest of sleepers be sure to wake up.

4. Large digital time numeral clocks, including wall clocks, and without all the bells and whistles of temperature, day, date, month and perhaps even your horoscope.  As the general population is aging. we hear more and more about the need for clocks with larger digits. We also hear more about institutions wanting time only digital wall clocks.

5. Computer and handheld PDA and Apple iPod or cell phone clocks - many interesting ones out there.  Anything you would like to see available that has not yet hit the market?  Also, how much do people rely on these clocks anyway.

6. CLocks with photos of your special someone. or even your entire family with, say, one person’s photo on each hour.  Would you want or buy one of these?

All clocks suggestions are welcome and encouraged.

Well, Thanksgiving has now come and gone, and the crazy mad rush shopping season has begun.  While most people are thinking about ipods, or plasma or HDTV televison sets, there are many businesses and individuals who are also looking to clocks as anything from corporate business gifts to prized possessions to be given as presents for weddings, anniversaries, important birthdays, from children to parents, and from parents to children, as cherished timeless keepsakes to be handed from generation to generation.  And of course, there are some who find a grandfather clock as the elusive perfect personal present for Christmas or Holiday gift giving for their spouse, for themselves, or other close relatives.

Not only grandfather clocks are becoming more common as heirloom gifts, but 1-800-4CLOCKS is also seeing an increase of gift giving by individuals and corporations with wall clocks, mantel clocks, novelty clocks, atomic clocks, and of course the gift for good corporate citizens and corporate customers or for corporate promotions of the marketing variety.

More choices and styles are also making doing your homework that much more important.  Clocks now feature more chimes than ever - you can hear the Westminster, Whittington, St Michaels, Schubert’s Ave Maria and Beethoven’s Ode to Joy Ode on the 1-800-4CLOCKS website for clocks that feature these chimes.  Other features such as volume control, lit cabinets, automatic night time chime shut-off option, and many more physical styles, including contemporary. modern, and old style, make clock shopping both more fun and more challenging than ever.  Also, without naming names, it is amazing the number of customers who come to 1-800-4CLOCKS after looking at clocks at many of the largest Retailers around the country, and can see the difference between a cheaply made clock, which 1-800-4CLOCKS attempts to carry none of, and one which is well-made.  The hallmark brands such as Howard Miller, Seth Thomas, Ridgeway Clocks, Hermle, Bulova, and Movado help ensure years of lasting quality and fine craftsmanship and materials.

As many of the higher-end clocks are increasingly being looked to as heirloom gifts, consumers and businesses are fortunate to have more GOOD choices than ever before.  Just be sure to look carefully before you leap.

An unfortunate group which is a very small percent of clocks shoppers, but probably have 90% of any “bad” experiences that are out there are customers whom really have not given any thought to what they have ordered or why they are ordering it.  ALSO, many clock shoppers tell us they were first lured by cheap clocks, e.g. grandfather clocks, they in some major mass market retailers, only later to realize the cases were made of plastic and the mechanisms were anything but special.

What this means is that there is a small but unfortunate group of buyers out there who in effect impulse buy, only to realize later that what they purchased is not what they want.

Among the key steps we recommend are looking at the overall brand image, quality, and reliability.  Then look at the case and make sure that is what you want.  Then there is a decision about whether to have a mechanical movement or a quartz movement, each with varying pros and cons (more on this in a future post).  A Home Decor or Office Decor fit is a must.  And the chiming sound should be welcome in the place where the clock finds its new home.

Finally, looking carefully at the warranty offered by the Manufacturer, and making sure that the Manufacturer is “real” and will stand behind their product, can make all the difference in the world!

Howard Miller Reading Time Table Clock    Model 645-421

Clocks Blog is Pleased to Announce the 2007 Wall Clocks and Mantel Clocks Contest brought to you by 1-800-4CLOCKS.

Many people have a favorite among the many wall clocks and mantel clocks they have seen or may themselves own. The reasons can be many, from antique wall clocks with mercury pendulums, multiple time zone or astronomical dials, amazing casework and carving, the chimes (whether nested bells, gongs or rod chimes) or even built in music box or automata - whether made by Britian’s Edward Dent, John Benson, J.J. Elliott , Tiffany and Company, JE Caldwell, EF Caldwell, Winterhalder & Hoffmeier, Hermle Clocks, Seth Thomas Clocks, or one of the new makers like Howard Miller Clocks, Hermle Clocks (been around long enough to have made both antique and new-vintage clocks), the Ridgeway Clock Collection, Kieninger Clocks or the thousands of other makers of antique wall clocks or mantel clocks or new wall clocks or mantle clocks. Home-made wall clocks and mantel clocks and those built from wall clock kits or mantle clock kits are also welcome.

The 1-800-4CLOCKS 2007 Wall Clocks and Mantel Clocks Contest is open to everyone, and will offer two grand prizes of $250 gift certificates good for 1 year at 1-800-4CLOCKS. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED BY DECEMBER 31, 2007. No purchase is required, and each individual may submit one entry only (1 for Antique Wall Clock or Mantel Clock and 1 for New-Vintage Wall Clock or Mantel Clock). Your ORIGINAL photo(s) AND description (the more detailed the better) must be included with your entry. You do not need to be the owner of the wall clock or mantel clock you submit, but potential copyright issues may prevent posting more than a description if there are any copyright issues regarding the photo or description. The winners will likely be featured, along with their clocks if desired and as possible, on the www.1-800-4CLOCKS.com website.

There are 2 Categories - one for each $250 grand prize (Gift Certificate at 1-800-4CLOCKS):

1 for Best and Most Interesting Antique Wall Clock or Antique Mantel Clock, and

1 for Best and Most Interesting New or Vintage Wall Clock or Mantel Clock.

Please mail via USPS your photos and description to us at:

2007 Wall-Clocks-Mantel-Clocks Contest

1-800-4CLOCKS

15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Store 31D

Grand Central Terminal

New York, NY 10017

USA

Please remember to include your name and all your contact information. We regret that it will not be possible to return any entries, and ALL must be sent via USPS and postmarked by December 31, 2007. The winners for each category will be decided by the Staff of 1-800-4CLOCKS at their sole discretion. We recognize that mantel clocks and wall clocks have such a rich history, and we expect picking a winner amongst the many spectacular wall and mantel clocks will be both a subjective and difficult decision.

Some of the biggest buyers of everything from grandfather clocks for the bride and groom, to clocks given as presents for special “thank you” wedding gifts to bridesmaids and groomsmen (even many a best man and matron of honor or maid of honor have been the lucky recipients of some very special clocks). Many parents and in-laws to be have said what could be a better homewarming or housewarming gift to their son and daughter than an heirloom quality grandfather clock. Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks, and Mantel Clocks and Wall Clocks by such makers as Movado, Seth Thomas, Chelsea, and Howard Miller have been favorites.

As a general gift, a clock on a desk is viewed an average of something like 50 times a day. What better gift or present to be remind someone of that special occasion.

Special anniversaries, or a move to a new home, are another impetus for many to be generous to their loved ones for these special moments. Just this past week we noted with great pleasure the gifting of one of nicest Howard Miller Wall Clocks given by a son to his parents for the occasion of their 65th Wedding Anniversary. It was sent by FedEx.

Howard Miller Thomas Tompion Tabletop Clock

Gallery clocks, which are generally defined as wall clocks greater than 15 to 40 or so inches in diameter, can make a great statement in a room or any setting. Gallery Clocks are also referrred to frequently as Oversized Clocks, and are also similar is size - and frequently design - to what are known as Railraod Clocks or Railroad Station Clocks, some of which are double-sided. Gallery wall clocks are generally only exceeded in size by Tower Clocks, such as the 4 most famous dials and works inside and out of the Houses of Parliament known to most of the world as the Big Ben Tower Clock, which also plays its famous Westminster Chimes (did you know that the “Big Ben” name referred originally to only the largest bell that strikes hourly, rather than the Clock Tower or even its mechanism?).

To see one truly exquisite Gallery Clock and one of Howard Miller Clocks Company’s finest, take a look at the Howard Miller Galleria Wall Clock, which is a maginificent oak-framed 42 inch Gallery Clock driven by electricity.