Corum – Bronze: Corum takes it to the next level

Montres en bronze: l’épilogue signé Corum

Some people have good ideas. Others take those ideas and carry them further, pushing the limits of what is possible. That might well sum up the fate of the bronze watch. An archetypal marine material turned fashion phenomenon, this metal – an alloy, in fact – has the defining characteristic of changing when it comes into contact with corrosive elements, the most common of which are salt from sweat and sea water. The colour of bronze begins as a lustrous yellow, tinged with red depending on how much copper is present, but develops a patina along with the characteristic spots of verdigris.
Lacking the inner bezel of the golden model, this version features a floating Corum logo transferred under the sapphire crystal close 12 o’clock. A 0.17 carat round blue sapphire set into the crown illuminates the blued hands and strap and provides this version a more youthful look.The final model in this group is possibly the most interesting, a Corum Coin Special Edition mention C082/03152, which utilizes a 925 silver coin out of Israel. This coin has been minted in 1973 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Israeli Declaration of Independence, that has been declared by the first Prime Minister of Israel David Ben-Gurion on May 14, 1948. The Corum logo is moved beneath the sapphire crystal at 9 o’clock on this model, and also a 0.17 carat diamond is placed inside the crown. The watch features black varnished baton hands and a matching alligator strap for a more sober aesthetic.Powering the three Corum Heritage Artisans Coin Watches is your CO 082 standard, which will be a Corum-decorated Soprod A10 motion. This is an automatic movement with bi-directional winding, hacking seconds, hand-winding capacity, and also an Incabloc shock protection program. It oscillates in a modern 28,800vph or 4Hz, features 21 rubies, and supplies a 42-hour power book. This really is a higher-end motion, designed as a replacement for the ETA 2892 and sharing many similarities with the Seiko 4L household of calibers. The Soprod A10 is also quite slender at 3.6mm, which contributes to the general thinness and wearability of these watches.The Corum Heritage Artisans Coin Watches For 2017 provide three distinct styles for different clientele, by the luxurious Gold Double Eagle into the youthful Silver Eagle and the rather austere Israel Special Edition. These watches should appeal to collectors of valuable coins, as well as people who wish to exhibit patriotism within their respective states. Lovers of both high-purity gold and sterling silver also have much to admire here, because these substances are otherwise very rare in the watch market. The Gold US Coin version ref. C082/03167 is the most expensive of the trio, being sold for a price of $23,000. Both the silver models (ref C082/03059 and ref C082/03152) are obtainable for the purchase price of $13,800 each.
The Corum Bubble 47 Flying Tourbillon watch features a 47mm 18k rose gold case, also further accentuating its size is its large bubble-shaped crown, also made from 18k rose gold. And as a consequence of the domed sapphire crystal, thickness is a whopping 18.55mm. Clearly, the Corum Bubble 47 Flying Tourbillon isn’t any small watch, and it’s likely to draw lots of attention. If wrist presence is what you seek, this watch will probably deliver it in spades. Regrettably, regardless of the watch’s little measurements, water resistance is 30 meters, so be wary of liquids.The Bubble watch is so known because of its high domed sapphire crystal, and it is not necessarily only a gimmick. Most watches have horizontal sapphire crystals using anti-reflective coating since they want to avoid distortion. For Corum’s Bubble watch, the contrary is true since the distortion that is caused by its large domed sapphire crystal is what makes the Corum Bubble unique. And since the domed sapphire crystal is indeed intense, the distortion it causes gives the watch an otherworldly look.This is doubly so when you consider that the Corum Bubble 47 Tourbillon watch has large brass skull that makes up the dial. The large hollowed and vacant eyes along with the charcoal black dial and also the distortion from domed crystal creates a gothic look that’s seldom seen in other watches. Completing the creepy effect is the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock, which is framed from the mouth of the skull.Speaking of that, the skull at the Corum Bubble 47 Tourbillon reminds me of the skull of Marvel Comics’ Punisher. And to me, it’s personality, with much more menacing and attractive looks than, say, the skull designs utilized by HYT within their Skull Bad Boy watch or by Bell & Ross in their BR01 Burning Skull “Tattoo” watch (hands-on here).Though legibility may be somewhat influenced by the distortions caused by the heavily compacted crystal, Corum addresses that by providing the Bubble 47 Flying Tourbillon large leaf-shaped hands painted with white Super-LumiNova.
Legions of timepieces made of “clean” bronze have recently been released, notably by Anonimo, Tudor and Panerai. The watch is delivered as new, and the patina builds up over time, creating a unique and personal object that reflects its wearer’s lifestyle. Most recently, Bell & Ross came up with the artfully distressed BR 01 SKULL Patina 1120, created in association with Chronopassion, which was aged to the extreme. At least, that’s what everyone thought.
 
Could do better
Now, the torch has passed to Corum, which is hoping to provide the definitive last word on the subject with its Admiral AC-One 45 Chronograph Bronze. Following on from natural bronze and verdigris, this watch goes even further, sporting a brown patina akin to the final stage of corrosion of a watch that has spent decades, maybe even centuries, underwater, but was rescued just before the metal really started to disintegrate.

This result is achieved on a piece-by-piece basis. In this way, Corum preserves the uniqueness that is a feature of bronze timepieces. The procedure is undertaken by an external craftsman, who corrodes the material to the maximum extent, before stabilising it with an invisible coating, stopping the corrosion in its tracks. At this point, the case is also perfectly smooth, ensuring it is comfortable to wear.
Ah, for a collector. Nowadays, there are some of things you may get yourself into thanks to the broad reach of the Internet. Want to start collecting golden-age comics? Start your search online. How about something more esoteric like, state, vintage safety razors. Again, head online. Of course, the more established things, such as coins and stamps, have areas on the web you can visit. If you want to start mixing these collections, however, then it gets a little more tricky. For 50 decades now, coin collectors have experienced a very notable watch that they might aspire to accumulate from Corum. Since we’re now at that golden anniversary, it ought to not be a surprise that we finally have the Corum Watches 20 Gold Coin Coin Watch 50th Anniversary model.Now, we’ll have to give the brand a little bit of latitude when it comes to celebrating this anniversary — the very initial Corum Coin Watch was introduced in 1964, and of course, we are currently in 2015 (51 decades after). The way to get about that little detail? Well, by using coins minted in 2014. And, other than a hole drilled in them to find the central arbor via, there are no visible modifications to this coin.Provided the sapphire crystal up top stays in 1 piece, it is likely a coin that won’t ever see any other alterations or wear. As is appropriate for your Corum Coin Watch, the sides of the case (36mm for the golden, 43mm for the silver) include a coin border — possibly the very best use of this particular finishing suggestion. To my eyes, the bezel surrounding the crystal also has the look of a coin, which gives the appearance, then, of only having a coin with a few lugs attached which is sitting in your wrist.I myself have never been a coin collector (however, I think I have some birth-year coins wrapped around), so I am definitely not the goal for the 50th Anniversary version of the Corum Coin Watch. That said, when it comes to a watch with a general theme, this is about the easiest, cohesive example I could hold up. If you would like to pick up one for yourself (or your great-great grandson, according to the marketing stuff), you can either purchase one separately, or get yourself a pair — as a good coin collector does, I guess. There’ll be 100 of every made available, together with the 22kt gold version going for $22,400, as well as the .925 silver commanding a cost of $12,100. If you find yourself collecting both watches and coins, well then, I cannot think of a better watch to showcase both passions in the exact same time.

Montres en bronze: l’épilogue signé Corum

© Corum

Lacking the interior bezel of this golden version, this model includes a floating Corum emblem transferred under the sapphire crystal close 12 o’clock. A 0.17 carat round blue sapphire set to the crown complements the blued hands and strap and provides this model a younger look.The final model in this group is possibly the most interesting, a Corum Coin Special Edition reference C082/03152, which utilizes a 925 silver coin from Israel. The Corum logo is moved under the sapphire crystal at 9 o’clock on this model, and a 0.17 carat diamond is set within the crown. The watch features black varnished baton hands along with a fitting alligator strap for a more sober aesthetic.Powering the three Corum Heritage Artisans Coin Watches is the CO 082 caliber, which will be a Corum-decorated Soprod A10 motion. This can be an automatic movement with bi-directional winding, hacking seconds, hand-winding capacity, and also an Incabloc shock protection system. It oscillates in a contemporary 28,800vph or 4Hz, features 21 rubies, and supplies a 42-hour power reserve. This really is a higher-end motion, made as a replacement for the ETA 2892 and sharing many similarities with the Seiko 4L household of calibers. The Soprod A10 is also quite slender at 3.6mm, which contributes to the general thinness and wearability of those watches.The Corum Heritage Artisans Coin Watches For 2017 provide three different styles for various clientele, by the luxurious Gold Double Eagle into the young Silver Eagle along with the rather austere Israel Special Edition. These watches should attract collectors of precious coins, as well as those who wish to display patriotism within their respective nations. Lovers of high-purity gold and sterling silver also have much to admire here, because these substances are otherwise very uncommon in the watch market. The Gold US Coin model ref. C082/03167 is the most expensive of the trio, being offered for a cost of $23,000. Both the silver models (ref C082/03059 and ref C082/03152) are obtainable for the price of $13,800 each.
Back in 2016, we had a chance to go hands-on with all the Corum Bubble Watch Ebay Golden Bridge Round that was a departure from past Golden Bridge watches by using a round event rather than the angular scenarios the group was known for. To get Baselworld 2017, designer Dino Modolo helps reunite the Golden Bridge into its ancestral roots together with the Corum Golden Bridge Rectangle. Since its first release in 1980, the Corum Golden Bridge has seen more than a few variants, and this version retains the collection’s hallmark feature – a motion that shows the full transfer of electricity from its own spring barrel in 6 o’clock to the escapement at 12 o’clock. The caliber CO113 is what Corum refers to as an “in-line baguette” motion, which has all its parts stacked up at a column-like shape. Such as the numerals, the bridge construction that supports the motion is made of 18k gold and adorned with an assortment of engravings together with the brand name. This unique movement layout allows the wearer to view every component in movement as electricity is moved from one end of this case to another. The detailed execution of this 18-karat golden Roman numeral constructions and rivets that surround the motion are extremely cool to look at it – it feels as though something King Midas would approve of.The grade CO113 is exactly what Corum describes as a “in-line baguette” movement, which includes all of its components stacked up in a column-like shape. Like the numerals, the bridge construction that supports the movement is made of 18k gold and decorated with an assortment of engravings together with the brand name. This unique movement layout permits the wearer to view every component in motion as power is transferred from one end of this case to another. The motion itself works at 4Hz using a power reserve of 40 hours.
Exploding in the head of the late Severin Wunderman, the Corum Bubble watches defied expectations upon release. The profile of the watch remains remarkably towering, with among those highest-domed crystals I’ve ever seen. The impact that has on the dial is impossible to dismiss. The glass distorts the dial providing it an unnatural sense of thickness. This is appropriate in terms of style fidelity, as it completely adheres to the use of spheres all over the view — most clearly on the rubber-ringed crown at 3 o’clock. Additionally, it manages to stay true to Wunderman’s unique vision, which was motivated by a 1960s dip watch that comprised a massive crystal to hold out against the pressure of deep seated exploration. However, is this watch just an homage, or have Corum upgraded it significantly to appeal to a contemporary audience?The first important change is that the diameter: The new releases all quantify 47mm wide and an impressive 18.8mm top. Smartly, though, the lugs are short and curved to enable a snug fit to the wrist. Of the 18.8mm of elevation, 8mm of this is down to the sapphire crystal alone. This is apparently no mean accomplishment: obtaining a flawless finish on a Sapphire component of this thickness, curvature, and essential consistency is actual obstacle. Corum achieves this unusual effect by beginning with a block of crystal and grinding it to some bubble-like contour, before polishing to absolute clarity.To make the most of this attribute, the designers of this Corum Bubble watches, decided to fit the timepieces with “Op-art” (optical-art) dials. These smart patterns provide the feeling of motion, in addition to shadow and depth. Though flat, the dials have a level of existence. Both watches use Super-LumiNova on the palms. The magnifying sapphire crystal has this affect on the horizontal dials that they seem to be aggressively domed themselves. With this arresting design leaping from the watch, it is easier to understand why this crazy contraption has numerous lovers the world over. The two watches are fitted with rubber straps wrapped with leather, with a buckle matching their individual case finishes. The straps start out in 24mm between the lugs and taper to 20mm in the buckle.

Tick tock teak
Corum has chosen to complete the look with a teak dial. This wood is one of the signature features of the collection, which also has the traditional 12 pennants as indices, and the dodecagonal bezel. The choice of teak is anything but random – it is the wood traditionally used for yacht decking. Here, it is left in its natural ruddy chestnut hue, accentuated by Corum’s decision to select wood with a particularly prominent grain, which adds to the illusion of the watch being some kind of ancient relic. The painting on the dial is thus appropriately worn-looking (this is entirely intentional), and the subdials and markings are all charmingly irregular. The 12 pennant hour markers, however, are crisp and clear. Rather than distressing them to match the rest of the dial, the designers have chosen to ensure they remain eye-catchingly visible. 

And as a result of the domed sapphire crystal, thickness is a whopping 18.55mm. Clearly, the Corum Watches Admirals Cup Price In India Bubble 47 Flying Tourbillon isn’t any small watch, and it’s bound to draw lots of attention. If wrist presence is exactly what you seek, this watch will probably deliver it in spades. Unfortunately, regardless of the watch’s little dimensions, water resistance is 30 meters, so be wary of liquids.The Bubble watch is so called due to its large domed sapphire crystal, and it isn’t necessarily just a gimmick. Most watches have flat sapphire crystals using anti-reflective coating because they wish to avoid distortion. To get Corum’s Bubble view, the opposite is true because the distortion that’s due to its big domed sapphire crystal is what creates the Corum Bubble unique. And because the domed sapphire crystal is indeed extreme, the distortion it causes gives the watch an otherworldly look.This is doubly so when you consider that the Corum Bubble 47 Tourbillon watch has large brass skull that makes the dial up. The big hollowed and empty eyes along with the charcoal black dial along with also the distortion from domed crystal makes a gothic look that is rarely seen in different watches. Completing the creepy impact is your flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock, which is framed from the mouth of the skull.Speaking of which, the skull in the Corum Bubble 47 Tourbillon reminds me of the skull of Marvel Comics’ Punisher. And to me, it’s personality, with more menacing and appealing appearances than, say, the skull designs utilized by HYT within their Skull Bad Boy watch or by Bell & Ross within their BR01 Burning Skull “Tattoo” watch (hands-on here).Though legibility might be somewhat affected by the distortions caused by the heavily domed crystal, Corum addresses that by giving the Bubble 47 Flying Tourbillon big leaf-shaped palms painted with white Super-LumiNova.
The Admiral AC-One 45 Chronograph is automatic, with a power reserve of 42 hours and a depth rating of 300 metres. The crystal and caseback of the bronze case are in anti-reflective sapphire, and the watch is fitted with a brown calfskin strap with triple-folding clasp.

Considering both watches and coins are often considered “collectibles,” it creates a certain amount of sense to blend the two and lure aficionados of both parties. The version was a huge victory for Corum, who’ve released numerous versions over the years such as the 50th Anniversary Edition we covered previously. This season, a new trio of Corum Watches Flipkart Heritage Artisans Coin Watches have been announced, using American coins as well as a considerably rarer (for the brand) commemorative coin out of Israel.Corum were set in 1955, making them relatively youthful by Swiss watchmaker standards. Their early success was defined by gold watches in the Art Nouveau design, such as the Chinese design and Admiral models. The first Coin view combined the new styling having an abysmal movement fitted within a sliced-in-two American gold coin, creating a exceptional dress watch with both exclusivity and patriotic appeal.As a naturally patriotic symbol, Corum points out that many American presidents have worn Corum Heritage Artisans Coin Watches, including George Bush Sr, Ronald Reagan, Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton, as well as artists such as Andy Warhol.Three new versions of the Corum Heritage Artisans Coin Watch have been released this past year. We’ll begin by having a look at the gold version, mention C082/03167, which features an American Liberty Head Double Eagle 20 dollar gold coin. This coin depicts a heraldic eagle with shield on the watch face and the head of the Statue of Liberty on the caseback.