Swiss watchmaker CORUM, known for its rich history in Fine Watchmaking since 1955, has once again ventured into uncharted waters to bring innovation and elegance to its iconic Admiral collection. The brand’s latest endeavor involves incorporating ceramics into its Admiral timepieces, drawing inspiration from the ever-fascinating maritime world.
Ceramic has long been a trusted companion in the maritime realm due to its exceptional properties. It has been widely used in various nautical applications, such as protecting boat surfaces from the corrosive effects of saltwater and preventing hull fouling caused by the accumulation of algae and shells. In addition to these protective attributes, ceramic proves to be an environmentally friendly choice compared to traditional products.
Transcending its maritime roots, ceramic has found a home in the world of high-end watchmaking, offering a plethora of advantages. Beyond its striking aesthetic appeal, characterized by deep and enduring black and white hues, ceramic boasts a unique tactile softness. Comprising aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and zirconium oxide (ZrO2), this material is notably lighter, approximately 20-25%, than the industry-standard 316L steel alloy. Furthermore, its high hardness level makes it exceptionally scratch-resistant and resistant to oxidation.
For these reasons CORUM, is proud to embrace ceramic in its latest offering—the Admiral 42 Ceramic collection. This collection exudes sophistication with the Ceramic & Gold models, showcasing the harmonious fusion of classic luxury and cutting-edge technology. But that’s not all; CORUM has taken a bold and unconventional step by introducing two models featuring a tribute to the vibrant and dynamic urban culture found at the world’s busiest ports.
Touch of Nobility and Maritime Excellence
In a daring blend of materials, CORUM unveils an exquisite timepiece that seamlessly marries ceramic and 18K 5N gold. This poetic creation not only showcases CORUM’s audacity but also brings a touch of nobility to the wrist.
Available in two stunning variations with either a black or white case and matching vulcanized rubber strap, this exceptional timepiece is designed to make a statement. The gold-colored accents adorning the indexes and hands add an unmistakable touch of elegance, creating a visual masterpiece that is sure to captivate watch enthusiasts worldwide.
But a watch designed for sailing must also excel in water resistance, and CORUM’s ceramic models do not disappoint. These remarkable timepieces are water-resistant to a depth of 50 meters, ensuring they can withstand the rigors of maritime adventures. Embodying the brand’s maritime spirit, the indexes on this watch feature the iconic nautical pennants that are unique to the Admiral collection, paying homage to the world of seafaring.
Artistic Expression Meets Horological Innovation
Drawing inspiration from the vibrant and colorful world of bustling seaports, where graffiti thrives as a form of artistic expression, CORUM introduces two captivating additions to the Admiral 42 family.
The first of these extraordinary creations is the Admiral 42 “TAG,” available in an exclusive limited edition of just 50 pieces. This timepiece boasts a stealthy, full-black look, featuring a sand-blasted ceramic case and a sleek black NATO strap. However, the true magic of the CORUM “TAG” edition unfolds at nightfall, as the discreetly placed CORUM TAG logo on the dial reveals itself in luminescent splendor. By day, it remains virtually invisible, only to surprise and delight in the dim light of evening, making it the perfect companion for stylish nocturnal adventures.
The second model in the collection, crafted in white ceramic, takes a bolder approach to design. Indexes and hands are playfully adorned with multicolored paint, bearing the artistic traces of fresh inspiration. This watch is a canvas of creativity and a testament to CORUM’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional watchmaking. It embraces the imperfections of art, turning them into a unique and eye-catching statement.
The heart of these exceptional timepieces beat with the precision of the C0 395 automatic movement, offering 40 hours of power reserve. With a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, this watch keeps time with unrivaled accuracy. The crowning achievement is its sapphire crystal case back, allowing a mesmerizing glimpse into the intricate mechanics of the movement—a true testament to CORUM’s commitment to craftsmanship and innovation.
The Admiral 42 Ceramic collection combines the brand’s rich heritage with innovation, bringing to life a range of timepieces that are not only stylish but also ruggedly resilient. This collection reaffirms CORUM’s commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining the horological landscape.
Thanks to a rich history and heritage in maritime and competitive sailing, Corum fuses the spirit of sport and glamour in its collections by transforming highly technical performance timepieces into avant-garde stylish masterpieces.
Launched more than 60 years ago, the Admiral product line is inspired by the great sailing races of that period in which Corum was a key actor. Iconic models of the Maison are highly recognized by their distinctive dodecagonal-shaped bezels and nautical pennants on the dials. Sporty yet elegant, Admiral watches embrace a lifestyle attitude, perfect for today’s navigators and sailors, as well as for those who simply love the seas.
Today, Corum unveils a new Admiral timepiece with a striking black carbon aesthetic combined with green SuperLuminova.
The 45 mm timepiece is crafted from ultra-light black carbon providing utmost comfort on the wrist and a unique look. Carbon is a lightweight material made of fibers, giving each watch an unmistakable appearance. Inspired by the tides and their seasonal changing colors, the case reveals its hidden beauty at night thanks to luminescent green inclusions in the carbon that glow like thousands of firelights. To achieve this special aesthetic, the carbon fiber has first been positioned in various ways and combined with green SuperLuminova elements. Then, both materials are melted together at specific pressures and temperatures – a subtle mix of skill and expertise. This process allows the multiple carbon fibers to create various shapes and make every timepiece unique.
Thanks to the in-house openworked movement, the Admiral watch offers a deep view of the automatic mechanism from both sides and reveals the component’s meticulous finishing. Often hidden, the barrel and its spring are partially unveiled. As a nod to the Admiral’s aesthetic design codes, the bridges have been designed with the same geometric shape as the iconic dodecagonal bezel.
The automatic movement, CO 297, developed in-house by Corum’s engineers, beats at a frequency of 4Hz, and has a power reserve of 48 hours. On the back of the case, the sapphire glass offers a beautiful view of the distinctive 360-degree rotor.
The Admiral watch displays hours and minutes in the center of the dial. At 3 o’clock, the power reserve is indicated, while at 9 o’clock, a 3-minute counter appears, paying tribute to the Corum’s three founders (René Banwart, Gaston Ries, and Simone Ries).
Completing the overall design, the timepiece is equipped with a matching black rubber strap. It is water-resistant to 100 meters.
Additional information
Recommended Retail Price: CHF 35’000.-
Limited Edition of 25 pieces
About CORUM
Founded in 1955, Corum represents creative and daring watchmaking. Corum uses an approach free of dogmas that enables a reconceptualisation 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 of a niche brand aimed at demanding collectors of unconventional timepieces. Corum is currently based on four collections that embody its vision of 21st-century watchmaking: Admiral, Bubble, Golden Bridge and Heritage.
Exactement 10 ans après leur première série limitée commune, le détaillant parisien et la maison de La Chaux-de-Fonds créent une nouvelle œuvre conjointe, limitée à seulement 10 exemplaires.
En 2010, la maison familiale Dubail et Corum scellaient leur destin avec une collaboration horlogère limitée à 25 pièces, une Admiral’s Cup toute de noire vêtue avec des accents de rouge. Une pièce rare dont les collectionneurs se sont rapidement saisis et qui posait les fondations des séries exclusives Dubail : très peu de pièces, gravées et numérotées, aux accents de noir et de rouge.
Depuis, Dubail s’est imposé comme un partenaire de premier plan pour Corum. Le détaillant, fort de six adresses parisiennes, s’est spécialisé sur la Golden Bridge ainsi que sur les collections joaillières de Corum.
La Golden Bridge s’est donc naturellement imposée lorsque Corum et Dubail ont voulu célébrer les 10 ans de leur première série limitée commune. Le modèle retenu est la Golden Bridge Round 43 mm. Une pièce atypique, un cercle parfait au sein duquel s’étire le célèbre mouvement baguette de la maison, créée il y a tout juste 40 ans (1980).
Ses ponts et sa platine sont en or, gravés du nom de la maison, terminés à 6h par la couronne permettant la mise à l’heure et le remontage d’une réserve de marche de 40h. De part et d’autre de ce mouvement se déploient quatre séries symétriques de câbles. Pour Dubail, ils ont été spécialement traités en PVD noir, tout comme la boîte en titane PVD noir.
Ces câbles poursuivent l’inspiration architecturale de la collection si bien nommée
« Bridge » (pont en anglais). La pièce associe le « pont » qui maintient en place son train de rouages à celui qui traverse les villes et rivières pour relier les hommes.
Symbole d’ouverture, le pont est aussi l’un des ouvrages d’art les plus complexes jamais réalisés par l’homme, une prouesse capable de défier les siècles et les éléments. La construction, suspendue dans le vide, convoque l’esthétique des plus grands ponts érigés par l’homme. Elle souligne aussi le caractère aérien du mouvement baguette : le Calibre CO113 et ses 16 haubans parviennent à conjuguer
l’expression légère et suspendue du mouvement avec la force et la résistance de la structure câblée.
Pour Dubail, Corum a habillé sa Golden Bridge d’un bracelet alligator, à la place du caoutchouc. La pièce, gravée et numérotée, sera disponible en mars 2020, uniquement chez Dubail Paris, et éditée à seulement 10 exemplaires.
” When Corum offered me the opportunity to make a timepiece bearing my name, it seemed obvious to me to select a sports model and the Admiral collection is therefore the most appropriate. I chose an elegant black model fitted with a sporty rubber strap and I asked if we could add touches of green – my favorite color – which also reminds me of the soccer fields that I play on every day. Of course, the rest is obvious: 5 unique pieces refers to the number I wear on my jersey. “
Miralem Pjanić
Last February, Corum was proud to announce the great partnership with one of the best midfielder soccer player Miralem Pjanić.
In 2016, Pjanić signed for 32 million Euros and has since been an integral part of their team, winning three Serie A’s, two Coppa Italia’s, and for 4 years in a row has been included in the Serie A Team of the Year.
He was also named in the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season, for his role in Juventus’s run to the Final. At Juventus he is affectionately known as “Il Pianista” (“the Pianist”; Bosnian: “Pijanist”) in reference to his surname and his creative role on the pitch.
With over 100 match wins, Pjanić prides himself on hard work, precision, use of space on the field and accuracy, which aligns his values with art of watchmaking and brings his collaboration with Corum into focus. Corum prides itself on creativity and boldness as its guiding principles, as well as technical excellence in the field, and use of space in both dials and movements.
As a result, the shared value made it possible to achieve this very limited edition of 5 pieces featuring a unique engraving “MIRALEM PJANIC LIMITED EDITION 1 0F 5” on the backcase.
Only available in Italy. Reference: A395/04165 395.112.98/F371 BV12
