Mikhail Semyonovitch Bronnikov

Mikhail Semyonovitch Bronnikov, circa 1865. Very rare and fine watch entirely made of birchwood and bone, in its original fitted case, accompanied by its original carved wood chain and key. Double-body, hinged back cover, polished, bezels with turned ribs at the edges, small circles in the center. Chain: single, carved from birchwood, 10 mm ring-links, hinged folding walnut box. Wooden with Arabic numerals on bone cartouches and subsidiary seconds. Wooden hands. Entirely made of wood with pinned wooden bridges, excluding the mainspring, balance-spring and pivots, with going barrel, cylinder escapement with bone staff, plain wood three-arm balance.Signed inside back cover.Diam. 50 mm. Notes Bronnikov's inventive design features a movement which is an integral part of the case, the dial which serves as the pillar plate and the bridges and cock supported by brackets milled in the back part of the band. The same idea was later employed by the celebrated Albert Potter. BronnikovA family living in Vjatka, Russia, which specialized in the making of all-wood, and all-ivory watches. The first recorded member of the family was Ivan Bronnikov (c. 1770 - 1860), a skillful joiner and turner. Upon the occasion of an exhibition in 1837, the Vjatka Industrial Town Council asked Ivan to exhibit some objects of his making. He refused, saying he was too old, but that his son, Semyon Ivanovitch (1800 - 1875) would contribute "some small thing". This turned out to be a pocket watch enirel Read more…