A bobbin assembly for a vehicle instrument gauge is provided. The bobbin assembly includes an upper and a lower bobbin, which together define a chamber therebetween and an axis of rotation therethrough. The bobbin assembly also includes a permanent magnet rotatably disposed within the chamber. A shaft rotatably supports the magnet within the chamber for rotative movement about the axis of rotation, and a viscous damping fluid, carried in the chamber, damps the rotational movement of the magnet. The upper bobbin includes a nose portion defining a bore therethrough which extends along the axis of rotation. The bore is open to the chamber and receives the shaft therethrough. The nose portion also defines an inner dam portion disposed within the chamber. The upper bobbin further includes a trough which is in fluid communication with the chamber and extends radially outwardly from the inner dam portion.