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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Karrusel pocket watch

Bahne Bonniksen "Non-Magnetic" 18K Gold Pocket Watch with Karrusel Regulator

Partially verified

This 18K gold open-face pocket watch features a Bahne Bonniksen 52 1/2-minute karrusel regulator, dated by the auction house to circa 1897 and bearing serial number 62873 on movement and case. The white enamel dial is inscribed "NON-MAGNETIC" and displays radial Roman numerals, an outer minute track, blued-steel spade hands, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register. The source reports a keyless three-quarter-plate 15-jewel movement with going barrel, pointed-tooth lateral lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance with gold timing screws, palladium balance spring, index regulation, and ruby endstone.

Dial and front view of the 18K gold Bahne Bonniksen open-face pocket watch
Dial and front view of the 18K gold Bahne Bonniksen open-face pocket watch — Freeman's / Hindman. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
hindmanauctions.com
Category
Pocket watch · Karrusel pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Bahne Bonniksen
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
121
Source-reported date
c. 1897
Country
Not established
Source-reported serial
62873

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and External Identification

The timepiece is housed in an 18K gold case identified with the serial number 62873, which the source notes is marked on the case and the movement. The case is fitted with a fluted crown and a round suspension bow at the 12 o'clock position.

The source provides conflicting diameter measurements of 55 mm and 54.2 mm. The total weight of the watch is stated as 85.7 dwt.

Evidence for this section
  • “18K, Bahne Bonniksen "Non-Magnetic" No. 62873”
  • “movement and case marked "62873,"”
  • “dia. 55 mm. 54.2mm.”
  • “85.7dwt”

Dial and Visual Features

The watch features a white enamel dial with radial Roman numerals and an outer minute track. An inscription reading "NON-MAGNETIC" is positioned in an arch below the 12 o'clock marker.

The dial includes a sunken subsidiary seconds register at the 6 o'clock position and is equipped with blued-steel spade hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “white enamel radial roman numeral dial with outer minute track”
  • “sunk subsidiary seconds”
  • “blued-steel spade hands”

Mechanical Configuration

The internal mechanism is described as a 15-jewel, three-quarter-plate movement featuring a going barrel and a pointed-tooth lateral lever escapement. It is equipped with a Bahne Bonniksen 52 1/2-minute Karrusel regulator, which is reportedly stamped with a patent mark on the pillar plate.

Additional balance components include a cut bimetallic balance with gold timing screws, a palladium balance spring with a terminal curve, index regulation, and a ruby endstone.

Evidence for this section
  • “15-jewel movement with going barrel”
  • “pointed tooth lateral lever escapement”
  • “Bonniksen 52 1/2-minute Karrusel regulator, stamped with the Bahne Bonniksen patent mark on the pillar plate”
  • “cut bimetallic balance with gold timing screws, palladium balance spring with terminal curve”
  • “index regulation, ruby endstone”

Open research questions

  • What is the origin of the conflicting case diameter measurements (55 mm vs 54.2 mm) provided in the source description?
  • Can the serial number 62873 be verified against Bahne Bonniksen production logs to confirm the c. 1897 date?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Bahne Bonniksen "Non-Magnetic" 18K Gold Pocket Watch with Karrusel Regulator
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case material18K gold“18K, Bahne Bonniksen "Non-Magnetic" No. 62873 Pocket Chronometer”
Regulator mechanism52 1/2-minute Karrusel“52 1/2-minute Karrusel Regulator”
Serial number62873“movement and case marked "62873,"”
Movement jewel count15 jewels“15-jewel movement with going barrel”
Patent markStamped with Bahne Bonniksen patent mark on pillar plate“stamped with the Bahne Bonniksen patent mark on the pillar plate”
Estimated Datec. 1897“c. 1897”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track.
  • Blued steel spade hour and minute hands with a matching blued subsidiary seconds hand.
  • Text reading 'NON-MAGNETIC' arched below the 12 o'clock position.
  • Top-winding fluted crown with a round suspension bow at 12 o'clock.
  • Sunken subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock.

Research qualifications

  • Movement and inner case back are not pictured; internal escapement, jewel count, and patent stamps rely solely on the auction house description.
  • The auction listing provides conflicting dimensions of 'dia. 55 mm' and '54.2mm'.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

A gold pocket watch, Bahne Bonniksen "Non-Magnetic" No.... | Freeman's

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record c629228c6c

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.