For half a century, Roman and Maz Piekarski, two unmarried brothers from England, have dedicated their lives to amassing the world’s largest collection of cuckoo clocks—750 intricately designed, pendulum-driven timepieces that adorn their ‘Cuckooland’ museum. However, as the ticking hands of time advance on their lives, the siblings, aged 71 and 69, now face the pressing need to secure an heir for their remarkable collection. With no children of their own, the brothers are actively seeking someone passionate and capable of taking on the responsibility of preserving and continuing the legacy of their metronomic menagerie.
The Piekarski brothers’ fascination with clocks began in their teenage years, leading them to pursue clockmaking as apprentices after leaving school at the age of 15. Their extensive travels around the globe involved a relentless pursuit of unique timepieces, often in friendly competition with collectors from the U.S. and Germany. The culmination of their efforts resulted in the world’s most extensive cuckoo clock collection, proudly displayed in their museum located outside of Cheshire. Despite their remarkable achievements, the absence of descendants to inherit their cherished collection has left the brothers in a predicament, prompting them to openly seek a suitable custodian for their extraordinary assortment of timekeeping treasures.
The collection boasts exceptional pieces, including a clock crafted for Frederick I, the Grand Duke of Barden, in the 1860s, and another that journeyed aboard a Lancaster bomber during World War II. Acquiring these rare clocks often involves years of dedication, as the brothers eagerly respond to any whispers of antique timepieces coming to market. While Roman has reached out to various individuals about taking on the collection, the search for a worthy heir continues, underscoring the urgency to secure the future of ‘Cuckooland’ and its unique contribution to horological history.
