Bonniksen: Reviving the Carrousel, the Tourbillon’s Forgotten Rival
The feature explores the revival of the Carrousel, a complex mechanical watch mechanism invented in 1892 by Danish watchmaker Bahne Bonniksen, who worked in Coventry and created a rival to the tourbillon. Young founders Maximin Chapuis and Jason Chevrolat have spent years researching the Carrousel and, with the support of the Time Æon Foundation and backing from Greubel Forsey, are developing the first wrist‑watch incorporating a hand‑crafted Carrousel under 40 mm. Their debut piece, part of the Naissance d’une Montre 4 series, showcases intricate finishing, dual‑sided visibility of the inverted calibre, and a three‑quarter plate that highlights the reborn mechanism. Both founders bring complementary backgrounds—Chapuis with deep horological expertise and Chevrolat with technical, managerial, and athletic experience—and have chosen to self‑finance the project despite attractive offers, emphasizing independence and authenticity. They view the Carrousel’s resurgence as essential for preserving genuine handmade watchmaking skills, which they argue are increasingly rare in an industry where many pieces are merely hand‑finished. The initiative aims to demonstrate that meticulous, centuries‑old craftsmanship still holds market appeal and cultural significance.
Buying Time Analysis: The story revives the forgotten Carrousel mechanism, highlighting its historical significance and showcasing a modern, handcrafted effort to preserve rare horological craftsmanship.
