I've not had anything more complicated than a date mechanism apart (yet) but let me try to explain how that works, using my Rolex 3035 I was repairing at the weekend. I can see how further complications will need additional time to complete their actions.
The red circle shows the hammer at the end of the date jumper and the blue circle shows the pin on the date corrector that is driven by contact with the date corrector wheel.
As the hour wheel (the one in the centre turns (with the hour hand attached) it rotates the date corrector wheel once every 24 hours. The slot in the date corrector wheel can move until it contacts the pin on the date corrector (this slot allows for assembly so that there is lattitude in where things are positioned)
Note how the hammer sits between the teeth of the date wheel.
The yellow circle shows where the cam contacts the date jumper - see next picture.
This picture just shows the cam underneath the date corrector wheel, The date corrector has a pin underneath it that exerts a sideways movement on the cam, thus releasing the date jumper from the date ring.
This shows the cam and its spring and the jewel that, in the picture, has been removed from the pin on the cam. The jewel is just Rolex's attention to detail - I wonder how many other manufactures would go to that length? It's a shame they couldn't have paid that sort of attention to the oscillating weight axle.
I will add that I am an entirely, self-taught amateur so if there are any professionals reading this, please feel free to jump in and shoot me down.
My end result is that the date on my Rolex snaps instantly at 24:00 - you just turn it until the date just changes and put the hands on at whatever time you want the date indication to change.