A Geared Clockwork

I climbed atop the oak desk and discovered an open metal pocket watch resting beside a small ceramic tray. Peering inside the unlatched casing, I found an intricate array of tiny intermeshed brass gears. Balancing carefully on my plush toes, I reached out with both gloved hands and nudged the ridged crown atop the stem. A crisp series of micro-clicks chimed out, and immediately the balance wheel began oscillating in rapid, rhythmic sweeps! The smooth transfer of rotational force between each toothed pinion kept me completely captivated under the desk lamp's pool of light.