North Coast Imports, Inc.

Sometimes we're asked, "What is the difference between those clocks which are VdS certified and those that aren't?" This can mean many things in an age of outsourcing and Chinese manufacturing, but in our case VdS certification means that the clock has been certified by the Black Forest Clock Association of clockmakers as being an Authentic Black Forest Clock. While all of our cuckoo clocks from North Coast Imports are made in Germany and have the highest-quality mechanisms that are made in the Black Forest, some of our cuckoo clocks may have parts from other regions of Germany, Italy, and possibly Eastern Europe. The VdS certified clocks have a higher percentage of parts that come from the local Black Forest area.  Cuckoo manufacturing is a matter of strong local pride for Black Forest artisans. It is a cottage industry that all takes place within a few square miles. The VdS also provides a wealth of extra support and information on their Authentic Black Forest ...

We, at North Coast Imports are very pleased to introduce the NEW Brettluhr! A  Brettluhr  is a "Little Board Clock."  It was a clock that mostly existed in Vienna in the first half of the  Nineteenth Century.  ( Here  and here are original Brettluhr  clocks.)  It appeared in many styles and configurations, but Brettluhren  commonly consisted of a board with a movement mounted to it.  Usually the board didn't have any sides or door which encased the movement. For our version, we decided to use a mechanism which showed off the beauty of the gears.  This "Skeleton" style movement is made in Germany.  It is, of course, made with the best quality materials and according to a time-tested design.  It is a single-train movement with a drop-off bell strike.  In other words, it strikes the sonorous bell once as the minute hand passes the hour. The clock is powered by the pull of gravity on the weight.  By the e...

We're about to introduce an exciting NEW model.  Stay tuned for more info.  AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND! SOLID walnut board, made in the U.S.A. with German mechanism.  We're really excited to introduce this new model from Sternreiter.

Schiffer LTD . has just released a new book on the subject of Black Forest Horology. It promises to be a lovely book with great pictures and information on very rare clocks. You'll probably recognize a few clocks that have been featured here on GermanClocks.org, as well as our online museum at www.NorthCoastImports.com/museum . Pre-order Rare and Unusual Black Forest Clocks, by Justin Miller at the author's website.

One of the quality and trouble-free movements found in many of our clocks is the Quartz chiming mechanism by Hermle. These are excellent, accurate, and durable devices which are made in Germany and sound great too! The Hermle quartz movements are workhorses in the clock world, because they can provide premier sound and accuracy for many different kinds of clocks. The mechanisms also provide lots of options for how and when the clock chimes. Here's a diagram of the version of the movement which includes a moving pendulum: Setup instructions for this movement are very simple: 1. Insert batteries. Because of a special coating that Energizer brand batteries uses on their contacts which is not compatible with this devices contacts, it is best to use any other brand besides Energizer. Duracell or almost any other generic brand will work fine. If your clock starts chiming erratically, or (if so equipped) the pendulum stops, please install new batteries. 2. If your clock has a mo...

We're pleased to present another fine NEW watch from CCCP. This is the 1973 model with its fresh design which is somehow both modern and retro: It also features a glass back, giving you a view of the beautiful and dynamic mechanism.

I recently took a trip to Germany to meet with clockmakers and to choose and design NEW models that we will be featuring in the near future. Here are some sneak peaks... For more information, click on the pictures above, and send us an email ! We can set you up with your favorite clock dealer.

We've added new pictures and videos for some of our most beautiful clocks. Be sure to check out these fine clocks on our website: (Click on the thumbnails for details!)

Here's something interesting. The Black Forest clockmakers of long ago had senses of humor. We've already featured an antique clock where a carved figure of a soldier that was eating rats. Black Forest and early German clockmakers loved to illustrate their daily lives. Check out our "All Are Mine" clock which tells a story with the figure of Death swinging his scythe. Here's something even darker; and a more intimate illustration of the wicked behavior of a young boy. This is a miniature Sorg-Uhr , with strike and alarm, Black Forrest mid. 19th Century. Enamel dial and brass fret. Wooden plates holding the brass clockwork. The first of these types of clocks were made by the Lord Mayor and clockmaker Sorg in Neustadt/Schwarzwald. [via Van Dreven Antiquair ]

Fans of North Coast Imports already know about our new and exciting /design series clocks, but we've been adding materials to the website that you need to know about. Check out http://tinyurl.com/classicspace on our www.northcoastimports.com/design site for a new video of these great clocks. related articles: DESIGN

Hello everyone, Dolf and I have been sharing our mutual passion for Black Forest clocks over the last year and when Dolf recently invited me to join North Coast Import's blog I thought it would be a good opportunity to meet new collectors and share information and enthusiasm for these wonderful clocks. My wife and I have for many years shared an interest in clocks and antique folk wood carvings. These interests have naturally evolved into an interest in the intersection of these hobbies-carved antique clocks. And of course once we were hooked on carved wooden clocks the temptation to start collecting finely carved Black Forest clocks was much too tempting to resist! Because the scope and variety of Black Forest clocks available is very broad and diversified, we quickly found ourselves trying to restrict our active collecting of these clocks to a manageable scope. Based upon our natural gravitation toward fine wood carvings and some initial research and discussion with experien...