[WATCH sb.] That part of the movement of a timepiece that is concerned with the measuring of the hours, as distinguished from the ‘clockwork’ or striking part; also, the ‘works’ or parts composing the movement of a watch.
1667. Sprat, Hist. Royal-Soc., 247. Three new wayes of Pendulums for Clocks, and several wayes of applying the motion of the Watch-work to them.
1674. Hooke, Animadv. Hevelius, 68. To effect which motion of the Table and Instrument, a Watch-work is fitted to the Axis, so as to make it move round in the same time, with a diurnal revolution of the Earth.
1675. J. S., Horol. Dial., I. vii. 28. Tis always commendable to see Clock or Watch-work, move thus brisk and lively.
1773. Pennsylv. Gaz., 16 June, Suppl. 2/2 [Advt.]. Silver watches … cast watch-work, [etc.].
1825. J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 489. Clock-work, properly so called … in contradistinction to that part of the movement of a clock or watch … which is termed watch-work.
1848. Proc. Soc. Antiquaries Lond., 271. Facio, a native of Geneva,… is said to have first invented the application of jewels to watchwork.
b. transf. and fig.
1825. T. Hook, Sayings, Ser. II. Man of Many Fr., I. 181. A shew-woman—like Madam Catharina, with watchwork under her hoop!
1844. Blackw. Mag., LVI. 530. The whole machinery and watchwork of pauperism.
1845. Clough, Poems, New Sinai, v. Heaven’s A Mécanique Céleste! And heart and mind of human kind A watch-work as the rest!
