The Swiss watchmaking house CORUM unveils a unique piece, the Golden Bridge “Serpent.” True to its heritage of innovation and bold design, CORUM continues to push the boundaries of haute horlogerie with this unique and exceptional creation.
Founded in 1955, CORUM has always stood out for its pioneering spirit and relentless pursuit of innovation. The brand has built a solid reputation thanks to its daring designs and revolutionary movements. The Golden Bridge model, emblematic of this tradition of excellence, perfectly embodies this philosophy.
History of the Golden Bridge
The history of the Golden Bridge began in 1977 at the International Inventors’ Fair in Geneva. Independent watchmaker Vincent Calabrese presented a patented watch composed of 45 components. CORUM immediately acquired the patent and collaborated with Vincent Calabrese to develop this unique movement.
The inspiration behind the Golden Bridge stems from a remarkable anecdote: a client had asked Vincent Calabrese to repair only the case of a damaged watch, thus devaluing the beauty of the movement. Determined to prove the aesthetic value of the watch movement, Vincent Calabrese designed a watch where the movement would be highlighted. Three years later, in 1980, the first Golden Bridge was presented at the Basel Fair, and no less than seven patents were filed.
Despite the quartz crisis of the 1980s, this model experienced resounding success, thus confirming CORUM’s reputation as a true watchmaking manufacturer. The linear baguette movement, a technical and aesthetic revolution, stands out with its bridges and main plate made of 18-carat gold, hand-engraved.
Golden Bridge “Serpent”
The Golden Bridge “Serpent” model perpetuates the Golden Bridge heritage with unparalleled elegance and sophistication. This exceptional timepiece features a 5N rose gold tonneau-shaped case, equipped with sapphire crystals on nearly all sides, offering a breathtaking view of the Golden Bridge CO 113 movement. Composed of over 190 components, this manual movement at 4 Hz offers a 40-hour power reserve, a remarkable feat for a barrel of this size.
Precision is ensured by a variable inertia balance, meticulously adjusted by the Maison’s watchmakers. But the true beauty of this watch lies in the integration of the arts, notably micro-sculpture and painting.
A Watchmaking Masterpiece
At the heart of an 18-carat gold jungle, made of hand-painted leaves and vines, a serpent entwines around the iconic Golden Bridge movement. This artistic work requires nearly a hundred hours of meticulous work, from design to micro-sculpture, then painting, to bring this unique creation to life. The numerous sapphire crystals allow every detail of this masterpiece to be admired, offering an unparalleled visual experience.
The Golden Bridge “Serpent” is more than just a watch; it is a celebration of watchmaking art, a tribute to CORUM’s innovation and excellence. With this new creation, the watchmaking house continues to make its mark on the history of haute horlogerie, offering watch enthusiasts an exceptional piece where beauty and technique harmoniously meet.
About CORUM
Founded in 1955, Corum represents creative and daring watchmaking. Corum uses an approach free of dogmas that enables a reconceptualization of movement construction, its casing, and the artistic crafts that brighten the dial. Behind the many technical achievements (baguette movement) and aesthetic achievements (Coin Watch, Feather, Bubble), Corum continues the tradition of high-quality watchmaking that is ahead of its time.
Corum, established in La Chaux-de-Fonds, is opening itself up to the contemporary, street art, and classical art worlds, and in doing so attracting the attention of various trendsetters. At once disruptive yet respectful of its watchmaking heritage, Corum maintains its status as a niche brand aimed at demanding collectors of unconventional timepieces. Corum’s current pillars include five collections that embody its vision of 21st-century watchmaking: Admiral, Bubble, Golden Bridge, Heritage, and Lab.
ADDITIONNAL INFORMATION
Golden Bridge “Serpent” Unique Piece (ref. B113/04532) – Recommended Retail Price: CHF 250’000.-