Clocks made of Wood - not a Creation of the Black Forest

The first clocks to have wooden movements are known to have existed since the late 16th century. The production of these clocks was not subject to guild regulations. As from about 1650, the production of simple and inexpensive wooden clocks spread throughout all of the mountainous regions of Central Europe.

Switzerland – A varied production in the Alpine region and the area to the south of the Lake of Constance. Each region developed its very own construction designs. The profession was usually handed down within one’s family.

Austria – Here, as well, wooden clocks chiefly evolved in mountainous regions, from the Vorarlberg to the Bohemian Forest; as from about 1750, however, “wooden” clockmakers also began working in Vienna.

Germany – The oldest known German wooden clocks originated in Bavaria, specifically in Franconia. At the close of the 18th century, the independent production of clocks with glass dials began to evolve around Deggendorf in the Bavarian Forest. Other wooden clocks appeared in the Fichtel Hills (Fichtelgebirge), the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) and in Saxony’s Lusatia (Lausitz).