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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunterd karrusel pocket watch

Thomas Russell & Sons Yellow Gold Hunting Cased Karrusel Pocket Watch

Partially verified

Catalogued by Christie's to circa the 1900s, this yellow gold hunting cased pocket watch measures 54 mm in diameter and houses a keyless lever movement featuring Bahne Bonniksen's patented karrusel mechanism (patent no. 21421). The white enamel dial is inscribed 'THOS RUSSELL & SON / 12 CHURCH ST / LIVERPOOL' and displays Roman numeral hour markers, an outer minute track, pear-style hands, and a centre seconds hand. The back cover is reported by the auction house to feature an engraved presentation inscription dated September 9th, 1912, honoring Captain M.D. Hughes of the S.S. Volga.

Front view of open yellow gold hunting case pocket watch showing white enamel dial with Roman numerals and centre seconds hand
Front view of open yellow gold hunting case pocket watch showing white enamel dial with Roman numerals and centre seconds hand — Christie’s. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunterd karrusel pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Thomas Russell & Sons
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
411
Source-reported date
circa 1900s
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
200292

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 Construction and Presentation Inscription

The pocket watch is configured in a 54 mm yellow gold hunting case, fitted with a fluted onion-style winding crown and a circular bow positioned at 3 o'clock. Visual observation of the front assembly shows the front lid opening to the left, with visible hallmarks stamped on the pendant and bow.

According to the cataloguer, the back cover is engraved with a commemorative dedication reading: “Presented to Captain M.D. Hughes of the S.S. ‘Volga’ by her owners and underwriters as a recognition of his services on September 9 th 1912”. This engraved inscription and the exterior of the case back are not depicted in the available photograph, and Christie's notes the case exhibits scratches and dents.

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE DIAMETER: 54 mm.”
  • “The back cover is engraved with the following dedication “Presented to Captain M.D. Hughes of the S.S. ‘Volga’ by her owners and underwriters as a recognition of his services on September 9 th 1912”.”
  • “Case: Good condition, with scratches and dents.”

Dial Configuration and Condition

The white enamel dial is inscribed below the 12 o'clock position with 'THOS RUSSELL & SON / 12 CHURCH ST / LIVERPOOL'. Time is displayed via black Roman numerals, an outer calibrated minute track, pear-shaped hands, and a long, slender centre seconds hand.

The condition report notes that the dial is in good condition but displays marks, stains, and scratches, and specifically records that it 'Has been restored.'

Evidence for this section
  • “DIAL: White enamel”
  • “White enamel dial marked 'THOS RUSSELL & SON / 12 CHURCH ST / LIVERPOOL' below 12 o'clock.”
  • “Dial: Good condition, with marks, stains and scratches. Has been restored.”

Reported Movement and Mechanism

The internal mechanism is reported by the auction house to be a manual, keyless lever movement bearing movement number 200292 and citing Bahne Bonniksen's patent no. 21421. The lot title describes it as a 'FREE-SPRUNG KEYLESS LEVER KARROUSEL POCKET WATCH', incorporating the rotating carriage mechanism designed to counter positional errors.

Because the watch is photographed solely with the front hunter cover open showing the dial, the movement remains unillustrated. Auctioneers confirmed that the movement was ticking at the time of cataloguing, though future timekeeping is not guaranteed.

Evidence for this section
  • “MOVEMENT NO: 200292, Bahne Bonniksen patent no. 21421”
  • “A VERY FINE AND RARE YELLOW GOLD CENTRE SECONDS HUNTING CASED FREE-SPRUNG KEYLESS LEVER KARROUSEL POCKET WATCH”
  • “Movement: The movement is ticking at the time of cataloguing; a service is recommended.”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmarks and assay marks are stamped on the pendant, bow, and case interior, and do they confirm an exact year of manufacture prior to the 1912 presentation date?
  • What specific restoration work was performed on the white enamel dial to address reported marks, stains, and scratches?
  • Does direct examination of the unphotographed movement confirm the free-sprung balance and the typical ~52.5-minute Bonniksen karrusel carriage layout?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Thomas Russell & Sons Yellow Gold Hunting Cased Karrusel Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Number200292“CASE NO: 200292”
Movement Number200292, Bahne Bonniksen patent no. 21421“MOVEMENT NO: 200292, Bahne Bonniksen patent no. 21421”
Case MaterialYellow gold“CASE MATERIAL: Yellow gold”
Case Diameter54 mm“CASE DIAMETER: 54 mm.”
DialWhite enamel“DIAL: White enamel”
MovementManual, keyless“MOVEMENT: Manual, keyless”
Accompanying ItemsNo box or papers“BOX: No PAPERS: No”
Dial RestorationRestored dial with marks, stains, and scratches“Has been restored.”

Visible details

  • Yellow gold hunting case with front cover opened to the left.
  • White enamel dial marked 'THOS RUSSELL & SON / 12 CHURCH ST / LIVERPOOL' below 12 o'clock.
  • Dial features black Roman numeral numerals, an outer minute ring, pear-shaped hands, and a slender central seconds hand.
  • Fluted onion/ribbed winding crown and circular bow located at 3 o'clock with visible hallmarks on the pendant and bow.

Research qualifications

  • The movement and the commemorative case back engraving are not shown in the provided photograph.
  • The auction condition report states the dial has been restored and displays marks, stains, and scratches.

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

Consulted source

THOMAS RUSSELL & SONS, LIVERPOOL, A VERY FINE AND RARE YELLOW GOLD CENTRE SECONDS HUNTING CASED FREE-SPRUNG KEYLESS LEVER KARROUSEL POCKET WATCH, | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record ae331da476

Terms in this record

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