The Influence of Clockwork Mechanisms - Why do they still mesmerize?
The recent post about display casebacks got me wondering why seeing a mechanical movement in operation is so fascinating, even when it’s just a utilitarian, undecorated movement. Looking back, I started to realize all the clockwork mechanisms in the influential toys and media I loved as a kid. I remember having a clock toy with visible gears, much like this one.
It was supposed to help with learning to read a clock, but watching the gears mesh together and turn in different directions was too interesting to worry about what time it was. I also remember watching Saturday morning cartoons back in the 80s, and seeing the Clockwork Smurf that Handy Smurf made out of a complex mechanism of gears.
About the same time, one of my favorite toys was a Mr. Machine toy with a wind up mechanism of visible plastic gears.
These anthropomorphic automatons full of gears were incredibly intriguing to me. Soon after that, I received a Swatch Jellyfish with see through case and visible gears like this one.
It was a prized possession for years to come. Clockwork mechanisms played a significant role in many other of my favorite movies and games, like the iconic clock tower in Back to the Future.
Or the clock tower levels in some of my favorite Nintendo games, including Castlevania and Mario 64.
I’m sure there’s still something of that childlike wonder that becomes activated, like a gear in a complex mechanism of memories and nostalgia, that causes these little machines to continue to be so captivating.
Do you have any specific memories of clockwork mechanisms that influenced you as a child?
I just got back into watches in 2021, after not wearing a watch for years. Glad to be here.
I had the engineering-centric Fischertechnik as a child, but I lacked the aptitude to think about gear trains and reduction and all. Probably exposure to a geared bicycle was when that concept came to be understood.
As an adult, I still love looking at any gear train and understanding why it is as it is. Old farm equipment is great for this. It helps to see it in motion, of course, as the relative speeds are more obvious. And that's why IDGAF about most display case backs, as nothing besides the escapement is moving at a perceptible speed. I will concede that I had the case back off of an old pocket watch during winding, and that gave me the show I wanted.
This blows the mind:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koy-HoN29Cs
Righton!! When I was a kid I pretty much had to build and keep my bicycle going myself. Then motorcycles took over and the tinkering continued. Now I'm in my 50's ive takin a break from motorcycles but, not the bicycles and up to last season I was riding downhill mountain bikes/Bike parks. Have some medical issues that put that on hold, hopefully JUST on hold. Started modding Orient Mako's and Ray's a few years ago after the watch itch came back with a vengeance and ready to see more, learn more and marvel at some of the most amazing tiny tinker toys a guy ever appreciate. I don't have to have um all but I want to see um all.