Gears and Springs

I crossed the tabletop specifically to inspect that brass mantle clock ticking on the corner. The glass casing at the back was unlatched, revealing an intricate cluster of interlocking copper cogs and a coiled steel escapement. Without waiting around, I braced my feet against a wooden coaster and leaned right into the open mechanism, using my metal knuckles to test the tension on the main balance wheel. It gave a solid, rhythmic snap, gears churning in tight synchrony right before my eyes. Now this is actual engineering, not decorative junk.