$10,925
“Karrusel” S. Smith & Son, 9 Strand, London, No. 192-228. Ebauche made by Bahne Bonniksen finished by S. Smith & Son. Made circa 1918. Very fine and rare, keyless, anti-magnetic, center-seconds, sterling silver and 18K yellow gold pocket chronometer with Bonniksen patented Karrusel regulator. Four-body, "bassine et filets", solid, polished, 18K gold hinge and pendant, silver hinged cuvette.. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute and 1/5th seconds track. Blued steel "spade" hands. Notes This watch comes from a small series of precision watches which S. Smith & Son made at the beginning of the 20th century. Many of which were submitted to the Kew Observatory trials, his No. 192- 256 won 11th place in 1915. 192-233, was classified as a deck watch and took part in the 1918 trial. The movement of the present watch would have been supplied by Bonniksen and, then finished and adjusted by S. Smith & Son most likely for entry into the Observatory trials. Bahne Bonniksen, (1859-1935) is listed as working at 16 Norfolk St., Spoon End, Coventry. Bonniksen was born in Denmark and completed his horological apprenticeship under T. D. Wright in London, Wright was later appointed lecturer at the Northampton Polytechnic, London for his work on the theory of chronometer manufacture. After completing his apprenticeship Bonniksen moved to Coventry where he set up his workshops. In 1893 Bonniksen made an application to the British Patent Office for his Karrusel regulator,
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2005-12-07
