Easily one of Corum’s most iconic collections, the Admiral embraces the spirit of contemporary design inspired by a long history with maritime sailing. This collection is beloved by collectors, especially those with a yearning to indulge in an active yet elegant lifestyle. Now, Corum’s master craftsmen unveil six new versions of the coveted Admiral 42 Automatic with a distinctive dial motif.
It was three years after the inaugural America’s Cup reenactment race (celebrating the 1851 America’s Cup regatta, which today is the oldest international sailing competition) in 1957, that Corum released its first Admiral watch. The brand worked with the race organization, for which it was a sponsor, to establish the first then-square Admiral watches that made their debut in 1960.
Two decades later, in 1980, the Admiral collection was totally reimagined. It now boasted the 12-sided (dodecagonal) case shape and colored sailing pennants that quickly garnered it a cult-like following and elevated the series to the legendary status it enjoys to this day. In the decades since, the Admiral has enjoyed grand attention as new and more visionary evolutions (always inspired by marine races and sailing) set the stage for this master of the seas timepiece.
Today, as Corum answers the call of contemporary casual navigators and lovers of the sea, it brings new versions to the forefront that are ready to go the distance. Each of the six versions boasts a dial with the three-dimensional Grenadier fendu motif that was entirely designed in house in La Chaux-de-Fonds by the Corum team in 2019, and is unique and proprietary to the brand. Thus far, this dial motif has only been used on the 38mm and 45mm Admiral Automatic watches, so this marks a first for the Admiral 42 Automatic.
Essentially, the six new versions boast two dial colors among them: a rich Mediterranean sea blue and a striking midnight black. Each dial color is offered in three models: stainless steel case and bracelet; stainless steel case with color coordinated alligator leather strap; stainless steel case with 18-karat 5N rose gold bezel and crown and color-coordinated alligator leather strap with triple folding clasp.
A tour around the dial of each watch showcases an outer chapter flange with the famed nautical pennants transferred in outlined format and minute indexes, applied hour markers and white Super-LumiNova coated Dauphine skeletonized hands, date at 3:00 via an aperture and subsidiary small seconds dial at 6:00.
The sapphire crystal of each watch is treated with an anti-reflective coating, as is the case back that allows for viewing of the movement. Each watch is powered by the automatic CO 395 caliber that beats at 4 Hz and offers 42 hours of power reserve. Thanks to a screwed in case back, the Admiral 42 Automatic watches are water resistant to 100 meters. They are a tour de force perfect for today’s lifestyles.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Recommended Retail Price: CHF 4’200.- on alligator strap / CHF 4’400.- on steel bracelet / CHF 7’200.- for the Steel & Gold versions
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.
