Exceptional Horological Sale Celebrat...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 24, 2004

LOT 671

Non Magnetic Bahne Bonniksen, Coventry, No. 62873, with Chester hallmarks for 1897. Very fine and rare 18K gold, keyless "non-magnetic" pocket chronometer with 52 1/2- minute Karrusel regulator.

CHF 6,000 - 8,000

EUR 3,800 - 5,000 / USD 4,700 - 6,000

Sold: CHF 6,440

C. Four-body, "bassine et filets", polished. Hinged goldcuvette.D. By Graff, white enamel with radial Roman numerals,Outer minute track, sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued steel "Spade" hands.M. 18???, frosted gilt, three-quarter plate, 15 jewels, going barrel, pointed tooth lateral lever escapement, cutbimetallic balance with gold screws, Palladium balance spring with terminal curve, index regulation, ruby endstone.Bonniksen 52 1/2-minute Karrusel regulator.Stamped with the Bahne Bonniksen patent mark on the pillar plate.Diam. 55 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image

Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3 - 6
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3 - 14 - 01

Notes

Bahne Bonniksen (1859-1935) is listed as working at 16 Norfolk St., Spoon End, Coventry. Bonniksen was born in Denmark and completed his horo-logical apprenticeship under T. D. Wright in London, Wright was later appointed lecturer at the Northampton Poly-technic, London for his work on the theory of chronometer manufacture. After completing his apprenticeship Bon-niksen moved to Coventry where he set up his workshops. In 1893 Bonniksen made an application to the British Patent Office for his Karrusel regulator, in November of the same year he was granted Patent No.21421 for this invention. At the height of production, watches with his regulator were made under licence by several watchmakers in Coventry and no less than 500 watches per year with Bonniksen Karrusel regulators were submitted to the Kew Observatory in Teddington for certification. Otto Sverdrup, captain of the ?Fram? and legendary Artic explorer said of the Bonniksen Karrusel upon returning from his expedition to Greenland (1898-1902) that "the Karrusel in question has followed me on all sledge expeditions during these four years, and it has always proved to be one of the best pocket chronometers on board". Bonniksen went on to become Horological Instructor at the University of Coventry, and his patent and work-shops were sold to the Rotherham watch company.