A Bonniksen karrusel is a watch mechanism in which the balance and escapement travel on a rotating carriage. The carriage is driven from the third-wheel side of the train, unlike the classic tourbillon arrangement driven through the fourth-wheel side. The conceptual animation shows carriage transport and back-and-forth balance motion. The gear train, hairspring and pallet contacts are omitted; it is not an escapement simulation.
Karrusel Tilting Moment Interactive Calculator
The separate calculator evaluates the weight and moment of an offset mass. Its kilogram and meter inputs are a general statics example, not dimensions or loads for the illustrated watch.
Equation Used
- The animation is a plan-view topology, not a manufacturing drawing.
- Carriage, balance and escapement placement are illustrative because exact tooth counts and dimensions are not supplied.
- The calculator assumes vertical gravity and a horizontal center-of-mass offset; it does not model timekeeping.
The moment calculation uses M=We. The watch drawing shows only the rotating carriage and balance oscillation, without a gear-train solution.
How the Bonniksen karrusel moves
The balance and escapement ride on a slowly rotating carriage. A branch associated with the third wheel drives the carriage, while the going train continues to drive the escapement. These two drive paths are described by Blancpain’s watchmakers. The detailed gear geometry is not included in this illustration.
Horological purpose
Rotating the regulating assembly changes its orientation over time. This page does not quantify rate improvement or positional error.
Separate static-load proxy
For a horizontal platform and vertical gravity, weight W=mg and moment about the platform center M=We. Offset e is converted from millimeters to meters. These equations do not calculate watch timing or bearing reactions.
Reading the animation
The blue carriage carries an off-centre, gold-rimmed balance around the central axis. The balance swings relative to that carriage; it is not a toothed gear. The tan block marks the escapement location; its internal action is not shown. Position, amplitude and playback speed are illustrative.
Limits of the illustration
The topology follows the NAWCC illustrated horological dictionary and the Royal Museums Greenwich Bonniksen karrusel record. Exact train geometry, tooth counts, balance oscillation and escapement impulses remain outside this model.
Questions
Is this a generic rotating platform?
No. Here Karrusel means Bonniksen's rotating watch carriage.
Does the load calculator predict watch performance?
No. It calculates the weight and moment of a separate offset mass. The inputs do not affect the animated watch or predict its timekeeping.
References & Further Reading
- Blancpain. Where Blancpain’s tourbillons and carrousels come to life. Watchmaker account of carriage, balance and the two going-train branches.
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