Birth of a Watch 4: Inside Bonniksen’s Radical Case for “The Carousel”
The piece explores the fourth chapter of the Naissance d’une Montre program, focusing on Bonniksen’s ambitious revival of the historic carrousel complication. It details how the brand, resurrected in 2026, is tackling the intricate design of a fully pivoted carrousel—an invention that has eluded watchmakers for over a century—by relying entirely on hand‑crafted techniques and vintage tooling, avoiding any computer‑numerical‑control processes. The narrative highlights the expertise of co‑founders Jason Chevrolat and Maximin Chapuis, their commitment to building components from raw bar stock, and the extensive labor required to produce each element, such as a single mainplate that can take a month to finish. The resulting timepiece, the NdM4 “Le Carrousel,” is positioned as a proof of concept, priced at CHF 840,000 with a limited run of thirteen pieces. While it serves as a showcase of pure craftsmanship, the founders also outline a future plan to introduce a commercial collection that incorporates CNC technology, reversing the traditional path taken by other haute‑horlogerie houses. The article underscores the brand’s dedication to preserving authentic hand‑made watchmaking while paving the way for innovative, yet traditionally rooted, future creations.
Buying Time Analysis: This story highlights the revival of a historic horological challenge by Bonniksen, showcasing the significance of pure handmade craftsmanship in pushing technical boundaries and marking a pivotal moment for independent watchmaking.
