Lot 294
English. An 18K gold openface keyless lever watch with 52 1/2 minute karrusel
UNSIGNED, CASE STAMPED FT FOR FRED THOMS AND WITH LONDON DATE LETTER FOR 1910
Closed16 November 2009
Price Realised
CHF 3,750
More Information
Specialist note
The present watch is fitted with a karrusel escapement, patented by the Danish watchmaker Bahne Bonniksen (1859-1935) in 1882.
These highly precise movements were often awarded "Kew Class A" rating certificates and in general supplied to the most renowned watchmakers of the time, such as Joseph White, Smith & Sons, Robert Milne and others.
Both Karrusel and Tourbillon are revolving escapements with the escapement placed on a small rotating platform, a device to eliminate errors of rate in the vertical positions. The Karrusel escapement however is driven by a fourth wheel, which is not fixed but rotates within the platform. Consequently it is turning at a much slower rate than tourbillon carriages, varying from 34 to 52.5 minutes per full rotation depending upon the design. It is also more robust and easier to produce than a tourbillon, hence less expensive.
The case of the present watch is stamped FT for Fred Thoms, renowned for his exceptional cases which he supplied to the best English watchmakers for their most prestigious timepieces.
These highly precise movements were often awarded "Kew Class A" rating certificates and in general supplied to the most renowned watchmakers of the time, such as Joseph White, Smith & Sons, Robert Milne and others.
Both Karrusel and Tourbillon are revolving escapements with the escapement placed on a small rotating platform, a device to eliminate errors of rate in the vertical positions. The Karrusel escapement however is driven by a fourth wheel, which is not fixed but rotates within the platform. Consequently it is turning at a much slower rate than tourbillon carriages, varying from 34 to 52.5 minutes per full rotation depending upon the design. It is also more robust and easier to produce than a tourbillon, hence less expensive.
The case of the present watch is stamped FT for Fred Thoms, renowned for his exceptional cases which he supplied to the best English watchmakers for their most prestigious timepieces.