Presently?

New cuckoo clocks are still among of the most sought-after souvenirs of vacations in the heart of Europe and especially in Germany's Black Forest region. In America, many families can trace their roots to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other European localities where cuckoo clocks are traditional ornaments for the home. Consequently, there is a market in America for clocks that represent the best traditions of cuckoo-clock making.

Cuckoo clocks are also highly prized antiques. Hand-crafted clocks with "provenance" (a traceable history) are sought by collectors, but antique hunters also search for factory-made cuckoo clocks. Those dating from the 1850s are highly sought based on the name of the maker; names like Gustav Becker, the United Freiburg Clock Factory (which Becker joined by 1900), Winterhalder & Hofmeier, Kienzle, Junghans, and the Hamburg American Clock Company (which copied American-made clocks for sales in Germany) are among the most collectible. Typically, the antique market also injects life into sales of newly manufactured collectibles because they are more affordable.

Even though some models of cuckoo clocks are now ouffitted with quartz movements and electronics, part of the cuckoo clock's charm may be its old-fashioned mechanical movement. When paired with beautifully carved wood and rustic style, the spell of the cuckoo's song on the hour is guaranteed to bring smiles to those who prize childlike delights and exquisite craftsmanship for years to come.