The Mechanics of the Clock

Four separate mechanisms are combined in the Peacock Clock: three of them set the figures of birds in motion, while the fourth is the actual clock movement. These mechanisms are linked by a system of levers that ensures their operation in the correct sequence.

• At the end of each hour the owl begins working. Its cage rotates, little bells ring, the owl turns its head to right and left, blinking its eyes and tapping its right foot. The cage makes twelve rotations and stops.
  
• Roughly ninety seconds after the owl starts moving its mechanism starts up the peacock. It spreads its tail, stretches its neck, turns and throws back its head, opening its beak. When its tail is fully spread, the bird freezes for a second. Then it smoothly turns its tail to the viewers, again freezes for a moment, returns to its starting position, folds its tail and lowers its head.
  
• At the end of its cycle the peacock mechanism starts the cockerel. After shaking its head several times, it crows.

The clock mechanism incorporates three trains (each with a driving spring, fusees and chains): an eight-day movement with spindle escapement; the quarter-chiming train (for eight little bells) and the striking train. Distinctive features of this particular clock mechanism are the dial in the form of a mushroom with a slot to show the hour and minute disks as they rotate relative to a fixed pointer and the second hand in the form of a dragonfly.

The peacock
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The cockerel
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The owl
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