Setting the cuckoo clock is a fairly simple process, but you have to handle it gently and in the right way so as not to damage it. Hang and turn on the clock before setting the clock, then adjust as necessary to adjust the clock if the time is too fast or too slow.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Setting Up the Clock
Step 1. Place the clock in a vertical position
Before setting the clock, you must hang it on the wall you want. The clock must be positioned upright before you set it.
- Clocks should be placed at a distance of 1.8 to 2 meters from the floor.
- Use wide wood screws (such as #8 or #10) that are long enough to attach to the wood frame in the wall; do not mount the clock on the wall without a wooden frame.
- Insert the screws into the wall pointing up at a 45 degree angle. Leave about 3.2 to 3.8 cm outside.
- Hang the clock on the screw. The clock must be parallel to the wall.
- If the chain is still not attached, gently open the package and untangle it. Pull the protective wire around it. Do not handle the chain in this way if the watch is still positioned horizontally or upside down as this may break the chain.
- Each chain link should be linked by one load.
- Make sure the pendulum stays on the hanger at the bottom of the watch, near the back.
Step 2. Open the bird door
If the bird's door is locked with a wire, you will need to open it.
- If you don't unlock the door, it won't open properly. This can damage your watch.
- If the clockbird doesn't sound at its proper time even though the door lock has been unlocked, recheck the locking wires to make sure nothing has slipped and caught in the back. Also make sure that the mute switch is not turned on (if any) and that all clips, rubber, and corks from the packaging have been cleaned from inside the watch.
Step 3. Turn the clock
Grab a chain that has no weight and gently pull it toward the floor.
- Do not lift or touch the weighted chain when you turn the watch. Always make sure there is pressure on the weighted chain to ensure it stays in the watch.
- An unloaded chain usually has a ring.
Step 4. Push the pendulum
Gently push the pendulum to the side with your hand. The pendulum will automatically continue to swing once you start it.
- The pendulum should not touch the watch case and swing freely. If this is not the case, the clock may not be completely vertical. Adjust and try again.
- Also listen to the sound of the seconds. If the clock doesn't tick snugly on either side, adjust the clock alignment again until the seconds sound just right.
Part 2 of 3: Setting the Time
Step 1. Turn the minute hand clockwise
Turn the long hand to the left until you get the timing right.
When finished, the clockbird will automatically adjust. You don't need to stop and check the sound
Step 2. Also, you can dial the hours and minutes and stop
If you turn the long hand to the right, you will need to stop at every 12 and 6 before continuing.
- Wait for the cuckoo to finish before you continue to wind the long needle through the numbers.
- If you have a musical clock, wait for the melody to finish playing before you continue turning the minute hand.
- When setting up a cuckoo clock that has cuckoos and quail, you need to stop at every 3 and 9 as well. Wait for the sound or music to stop before continuing.
Step 3. Never turn the clock hands
Do not turn the short hand when setting the clock.
Moving the short hand instead of the long hand will damage the watch
Part 3 of 3: Timing
Step 1. Watch the clock for the next 24 hours
Even if you buy a new, pre-set cuckoo clock, it's best if you watch it for a full 24 hours to determine if it's the right time or not.
- After setting the appropriate time, compare the time with the time displayed on your watch, watch, or trusted timekeeping device.
- Make sure you use a trusted timekeeping tool. Choose a watch or similar device that has always been trusted.
Step 2. Slow down the movement of the pendulum to slow down the clock
If the clock is moving too fast, slow it down by moving the tip of the pendulum downward. This causes the pendulum to move more slowly.
- The tip of the pendulum is usually shaped like a heavy disk or leaf.
- Keep an eye on the clock until the end of the day to ensure that your settings are successful.
Step 3. Move the pendulum quickly to speed up the clock
If the clock is going too slow, speed it up by gently pushing the tip of the pendulum. This will cause the pendulum to swing faster.
- The tip of the pendulum is usually leaf-shaped or a heavy disk.
- Continue to check the accuracy of the clock to determine whether the adjustment is correct or not.
Step 4. Adjust the clock as necessary
The frequency with which you adjust your clock varies depending on the watch model, but you will usually need to adjust it every 24 hours or once every 8 days.
Each time you adjust the clock, do it the same way you did the first time. Pull down on the unloaded chain to raise the loaded chain without holding back
Step 5. Activate the cuckoo clock silent button when needed
The cuckoo sound from several hours can be manually turned on and off as desired. Make sure the switch is turned to sound or silent mode as desired.
- The dial can be found on the base or on the left side of the watch.
- Usually, you need to press the button to turn off the cuckoo sound and then press it down again to turn it on. However, this feature varies depending on the watch model, so it's a good idea to check with the watchmaker to verify the correct way to use the manual dial.
- Never press the button while the cuckoo or song is playing.
- Note that this feature is not present in every watch model. This feature is very rarely found on old or antique cuckoo clocks.
Warning
Always hold it gently when setting or adjusting the cuckoo clock. The interior of the watch is very fragile and precise, so it can be damaged if too much force is applied
Things Needed
- Cuckoo clock
- #8 or #10. long screws
- Drill or screwdriver
- Wood frame detector
- Another clock, watch, or similar timekeeping device
