Only seven clocks left in the Kieninger Original Line. Available for immediate shipping. Shop Now!
  1. Home
  2. Clocks' Chimes, Melodies and Cuckoo Clock Calls

Clocks' Chimes, Melodies and Cuckoo Clock Calls

A clock's chime may be an important factor in your buying decision, and we aim to provide you with the experience. However, every clock has its own unique voice. Mantel, grandfather and wall clocks differ intone. There may be variations with each clock within the same family. The majority of the pages devoted to chiming clocks on our site include a player and you can listen to the unique chime of the same clock.
 

Kieninger Mantel Clock Triple Chimes 

Kieninger Mantel Clocks typically play all three of the popular melodies (Westminster, St. Michael's and Whittington Chimes) on the 8 or 9 rod gong. All clocks have automatic night shut off. 

Of course, one of Kieninger's most popular mantel clocks, Mozart plays a melody by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on a nine rod gong.

Westminster Chimes

This clock is playing a version of the Westminster Chimes, also known as the Cambridge Quarters, from its place of origin, the church of St. Mary the Great in Cambridge, England. People commonly associate the Westminster Chimes with Big Ben at the House of Parliament in London.

St. Mary (Whittington) Chimes

This clock is playing a version of the Whittington Chimes, also called St. Mary's Chimes. There are four variations of this chime sequence. The tune originated with the bell tower of the church of St. Mary le Bow in London, England. In the 14th century, the chimes became famous through a legend that connects them with Dick Whittington. 

St. Michael's Chimes

This clock is playing a version of the St. Michael Chimes, which originated in the United States. The bells for this chime were originally cast in London for installation in St. Michael’s Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Ave Maria Chimes

This clock is playing a version of Franz Schubert's Ave Maria, which was inspired by the Sir Walter Scott poem "The Lady of the Lake." The composition came into usage as clock chimes in the 1940s. 

Cuckoo Clock

Traditionally, with cuckoo clocks, a gong is struck by a mechanical hammer. This adds depth of sound to the cuckoo call. If the hammer is too close to the gong, then the clock might produce a sick-sounding cuckoo.

Some quartz cuckoo clocks come with as many as 12 melodies that take turns playing on the hour after the cuckoo call, usually while other animated characters of the clock "perform". Some of the most popular melodies can be heard here:

 

Links