Karrusel” Fred Smith

“Karrusel” Fred Smith, Watchmaker, Newcastle on Tyne, No. 66223, movement by Bahne Bonniksen. Made circa 1910, the case with Chester hallmarks for 1945-1946. Fine, keyless, silver and gold pocket watch with 52 1/2 minute Bonniksen patented Karrusel regulator Four-body, "bassine", solid, polished, master mark “FT” (Frederick Thoms), gold hinge and thumbpieces. Hinged silver cuvette. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds. Blued steel “spade" hands. Notes Bahne Bonniksen (1859-1935) is listed as working at 16 Norfolk St., Spoon End, Coventry. Bonniksen was born in Denmark and completed his horological apprenticeship under T. D. Wright in London, Wright was later appointed lecturer at the Northampton Polytechnic, London for his work on the theory of chronometer manufacture. After completing his apprenticeship, Bonniksen moved to Coventry where he set up his workshops. In 1893 Bonniksen made an application to the British Patent Office for his Karrusel regulator, in ovember of the same year he was granted Patent No.21421 for this invention.