Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Glossary · Complication

Karrusel

A rotating-carriage escapement mounting related to the tourbillon, developed as a cheaper alternative.

Explanation

The karrusel (carrousel), patented by Bahne Bonniksen in 1892, also rotates the escapement to average positional errors, but drives the cage from the train rather than through the escape wheel as in a tourbillon. Bonniksen intended it as a more robust, cheaper route to the same end. It was used in some English and later Danish watches; the distinction from a tourbillon is in the drive arrangement.

In the object catalogue

Catalogued objects whose own source record mentions “Karrusel”. The quoted line shows where; it is the seller’s or museum’s wording, not independent verification.