clockwork / movement
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movement
The inner mechanism of a clock or watch, consisting of gears, springs, and other parts, which moves the hands.
Der Uhrmacher musste das alte Uhrwerk komplett zerlegen, um es zu reparieren.
The watchmaker had to completely take apart the old movement in order to repair it.
clockwork
In a figurative sense, a system or process that works very precisely, reliably, and regularly.
Die Logistik des Online-Händlers funktioniert wie ein Uhrwerk.
The online retailer's logistics run like clockwork.
The word is made up of 'die Uhr' (clock/watch) and 'das Werk' (work/mechanism). Here, 'Werk' does not only mean 'work', but also 'mechanism' or 'complex construction'. So an Uhrwerk is literally the mechanism of a clock or watch.
Ein gutes mechanisches Uhrwerk ist ein Meisterstück der Technik.
A good mechanical movement is a masterpiece of engineering.
The expression 'funktionieren wie ein Uhrwerk' (to function like clockwork) or 'laufen wie ein Uhrwerk' (to run like clockwork) is used to describe a process or system that runs extremely precisely, punctually, and reliably.
Die Organisation des Festivals lief wie ein Uhrwerk.
The organization of the festival ran like clockwork.
You can recognize the literal meaning from words like 'Uhr' (clock/watch), 'Uhrmacher' (watchmaker/clockmaker), or 'reparieren' (to repair). The figurative meaning is always used in connection with abstract systems like 'Organisation' (organization), 'Logistik' (logistics), or 'Team' (team).
Der Uhrmacher kennt jedes Detail des Uhrwerks.
The watchmaker knows every detail of the movement.
In the literal sense, 'Uhrwerk' is often combined with verbs like 'reparieren' (to repair), 'reinigen' (to clean), 'aufziehen' (to wind, for mechanical clocks/watches), or 'zerlegen' (to take apart).
Man muss das Uhrwerk der alten Standuhr einmal pro Woche aufziehen.
You have to wind the movement of the old grandfather clock once a week.
mechanism
Mechanismus can generally refer to a technical interaction of parts. Uhrwerk, by contrast, specifically refers to the complete mechanical unit inside a clock that moves its hands. When referring only to a particular process or part, Mechanismus is suitable; when referring to the complete unit inside a clock, Uhrwerk is suitable.
Das Uhrwerk der alten Uhr besteht aus vielen kleinen Zahnrädern.
The movement of the old clock consists of many small gears.
Dieser Mechanismus bewegt den Sekundenzeiger besonders gleichmäßig.
This mechanism moves the second hand particularly smoothly.
