The cuckoo clock is driven by the weights hanging on a chain. The chains wrap around a chain gear that drives the internal gears of the clock. Over time the weights slowly drop to the ground. The weights are pulled back up when they reach the floor and this rewinds the clock.

How does a cuckoo clock movement work?

In mechanical movement clocks, two small wooden pipes are attached to two tiny wooden bellows, or air chambers, on either side of the clock. Air fills the chambers, as the clock's movement movement activates the bellows, squeezing the air in and out of the whistles. ... All cuckoo clocks will have a cuckoo bird.

How do I get my cuckoo clock to work?

Your cuckoo clocks start and stop lever is either on the side panel, or the bottom. Slide side levers up and pull bottom levers down. This regulates the cuckoo's call. To set the time, turn the cuckoo clocks long hand clockwise into position, then flick the pendulum to get it moving back and forth.