Clockwork

Clockwork of mechanical Prim wrist watch

Clockwork refers to the inner workings of either mechanical devices called clocks and watches (where it is also called the movement) or other mechanisms that work similarly, using a series of gears driven by a spring or weight.[1][2][3]

A clockwork mechanism is often powered by a clockwork motor[4] consisting of a mainspring, a spiral torsion spring of metal ribbon. Energy is stored in the mainspring manually by winding it up, turning a key attached to a ratchet which twists the mainspring tighter. Then the force of the mainspring turns the clockwork gears, until the stored energy is used up. The adjectives wind-up and spring-powered refer to mainspring-powered clockwork devices, which include clocks and watches, kitchen timers, music boxes, and wind-up toys.

  1. ^ "Clockwork - Definition of clockwork by Merriam-Webster". merriam-webster.com. Archived from the original on 2013-11-22. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  2. ^ "Clockwork - Define Clockwork at Dictionary.com". Dictionary.com. Archived from the original on 2013-11-25. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  3. ^ "clockwork". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
  4. ^ The Talking Machine Encyclopædia: A Comprehensive and Descriptive Glossary of All Terms Used in Connection with the Talking Machine. London: Phono Trader Printing and Publishing Co. 1908. pp. 45–47. Archived from the original on 2023-07-03. Retrieved 2021-11-09., description of the clockwork motor in an antique phonograph