Baselworld 2013 preview…

Next month at Baselworld Corum will officially unveil the Ti Bridge Automatic, shown here.  The watch is in tune with the Corum Bridge collection‘s linear architecture (barrel, gear train and escapement) as well as its tonneau-shaped case.  The new Dual Winder system of the automatic CO 207 caliber, held in place by four titanium cross-bars (as you can see above), is designed, developed and patented by Corum.  It derives its energy from two interconnected inline oscillating weights.

The case is titanium, 42mm x 52mm, though Corum indicates that it is slimmer than predecessors.  The Ti-Bridge Automatic Dual Winder will also be issued in a red gold, 25-piece limited series.

A bit more on the movement, according to Corum.

The Dual Winder system features two in-line mounted circular oscillating weights, interconnected via a transmission arbor that makes them move in parallel, whatever the rotation direction.  There are three integrated stacked mechanisms at 9 o’clock – a ball bearing device and two unidirectional ball bearings clutches – made in ceramics and thus requiring no lubrication – the winding is efficient in both directions of the oscillating weights’ rotations.  Two steel disks top each of the oscillating weights, while two 1.32-gram tungsten semi-cylinders ensure smooth winding. A single barrel placed at 3 o’clock stores up the CO 207 caliber’s 72-hour power reserve.

More details to come.

360° visibility, flying tourbillon…

Here’s a first look at Corum’s new Golden Bridge Tourbillon Panoramique.  Featuring 360° visibility, as if suspended weightless at the center of the case by a sapphire mainplate and bridges, this openworked, translucent movement is further accentuated with a “flying” tourbillon:  freed from an upper bridge, it appears to be levitating above the movement.
Click through for more looks at this new Corum

Never before has a minute repeater marked off time by chords and not merely single notes.  Such is the feat achieved by the splendid Corum Admiral’s Cup Legend 46 Minute Repeater Acoustica, a world premiere equipped with four gongs and four hammers, simultaneously striking in pairs.    First introduced at Baselworld earlier this year, this splendid object will be issued in a ten-piece limited edition, including a white gold version entirely set with 650 diamonds.  Priced well in to the six figures.  Lots of looks — and video — below.
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Corum recently unveiled these new limited edition Admiral’s Cup Legend 42′s, adorned with the same metallic blue color that graced the modern version as adopted in the early 1980′s.  Offered in red gold or steel, this tribute to the historical model will be limited to 300 pieces in two-tone steel and 100 pieces in steel/red gold.
Click through for a look back at the history of the Corum Admiral’s Cup collection and of course a closer look at these homages to 1983

Perpetuelle readers know that I have been following the America’s Cup races and the special edition watches that are being produced to mark the occasion.  It was just  a few weeks ago that the Corum-sponsored French ENERGY TEAM, led by Loïck Peyron, achieved their first major victory in the America’s Cup World Series a few weeks ago in Venice.  Recently the team was in Newport, Rhode Island, USA, and though they only managed a 6th place showing, I did manage to grab some video of Corum ENERGY Team captain Loick Peyron talking about the importance of timing in racing (see Video below).  I also managed to run-down some specifics on the watch the Peyron is wearing during the races — an Admiral’s Cup Seafender 48 Chrono Centro Maxi – Trophée Jules Verne.  In the video if you listen closely you will hear Peyron mentions a special timepiece/mechanism that Corum is working on which will offer improved ability to measure race timing.  I asked Corum about this and they chose to give me a “no comment” but did acknowledge that the announcement would come when the time is right.  Can’t wait

For now, a look at the Corum Admiral’s Cup Seafender 48 Chrono Centro Maxi – Trophée Jules Verne, along with the video of Loick Peyron.  Follow the ongoing action at http://sailing.corum.ch/  *** More CORUM by Perpetuelle>>>

Corum ENERGY Team Loick Peyron Speaks On Timing (VIDEO)

Corum Admiral’s Cup Seafender 48 Chrono Centro Maxi – Trophée Jules Verne

48mm titanium case, automatic mechanical Corum movement (COSC), oscillating weight engraved with the brand name and black PVD treatment

Corum has released a couple limited edition Admiral’s Cup Tides watches to commemorate its re-entry into the Brazilian market.  While I am less interested in Brazil, this is a good opportunity for you to take a look at one of the more interesting (but less often seen) timepieces Corum has ever produced.  Launched for the first time in 1993, the Admiral’s Cup 48 Tides was considered a huge innovation in the watchmaking industry –  in many ways it is still a benchmark in the world of high-end timepieces.  The Admiral’s Cup 48 Tides is essentially a navigation instrument, able to provide important nautical information such as the strength of the tide, an estimation of the water levels, the strength of the currents and the time of the tide.  The watch is certified by France’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service which oversees various critical maritime and nautical records.

These particular models are a tribute to the 65^th anniversary of the Iate Clube de Santos, one of the most important nautical institutions in Brazil.  Presented in two versions: a sporty titanium edition, water-resistant to 300 meters, and a more “urban” model in red gold, water-resistant to just 50 meters.

Corum  Admiral’s Cup Seafender 48 Tides

“Iate Clube de Santos” Limited edition 65 pieces

Corum Tides module:  nautical information such as the strength of the tide, an estimation of the water levels, the strength of the currents and the time of the tide

Titanium Case

Red Gold Case

There is an interesting new “unique masterpieces” project underway at famous London watch retailer Marcus.  The exhibit celebrates the the 10th anniversary for the Marcus boutique on New Bond Street, as well as proprietor Marcus Margulies’ own 70th birthday.

For those of you new to the name, the Marcus watch store located at 170 Bond Street in London is advertised as containing “The most important collection of watches in the World”.   And yes, it is easily said that the line up of names is truly formidable, ranging from long-established, high end brands such as Audemars Piguet and Girard-Perregaux to more recent yet well respected brands including Franck Muller, Richard Mille, Urwerk and Greubel Forsey.  The store belongs to Marcus Margulies whose family company, Time Products, dates back to the early 1960’s when his Father Alexander moved to England from Poland and established a business distributing inexpensive watches imported from the Soviet Union. This company was named Sekonda and is now the UK’s best-selling watch brand.  To me, I think of Marcus in the same category as a Chronopassion in Paris or a Westime here in the U.S. — among the most prestigious watch stores in the world, with the clientele to back it up.

Now — as to the Marcus Unique Masterpieces Exhibit.   Some of the leading watch companies from Marcus’s past and present have made contributions to the exhibition featuring all one of a kind unique pieces.  I’ll be featuring them in detail here are Perpetuelle over the next few months — I’ll add each piece below after I’ve covered it in detail!

Now having seen its 74th running (this past weekend), the Bol d’Or Mirabaud is a popular regatta (a series of boat/sailing races) held each summer on Lake Geneva.  Several major Swiss watch brands sponsor or have their own boats in the event, but in recent years it has been Corum who has been the overall official event sponsor (since 2010, I believe).   In 2011, Perpetuelle featured the official watch of the Bol d’Or Mirabaud, the Corum Seafender 48 “Bol d’Or Mirabaud” edition; we are back again this year with the official watch of the 2012 Bol d’Or Mirabaud, the Admiral’s Cup Seafender 44 Chrono Centro.  Just a couple weeks ago I discussed the virtue of Corum’s “chrono centro” models so I won’t revisit the technical discussion (see:  Corum Admiral’s Cup Seafender 44 Chrono Centro for details), instead I will just give a quick look at the watch.

Corum Admiral’s Cup Bol d’Or Mirabaud 2012 Watch

Limited Edition 30 pieces

44mm vulcanized rubber case, automatic mechanical Corum C960 movement (central chronograph, COSC),

Corum was also in the starting blocks itself aboard the D35 Okalys-Corum, the team that it has supported since 2009

© G. Gygax

The Corum-sponsored French ENERGY TEAM, led by Loick Peyron, achieved their first major victory in the America’s Cup World Series a few weeks ago in Venice.  This year Corum has created a nice microsite dedicated to the America’s Cup which I recommend you visit at http://sailing.corum.ch/.  On the watchmaking front, the Corum’s Admiral’s Cup collection has been a perennial winner since its introduction in 1960.  Though the Admiral’s Cup line has seen several iterations and evolutions over the years, it has always retained its status as the definitive Corum sports watch — in fact in my estimation it is one of the definitive sea-faring watches in all of the luxury watch world.  The Admiral’s Cup Seafender 44 Chrono Centro you see here is one of the latest evolutions of the line, with a more sporty and somewhat technical look aimed towards drawing in the younger watch buyer.  I find this the watch impressive for both its looks and its technical capabilities.  On the “looks” front, there is a grade 5 titanium case, black textured dial, and subtle use of red.   On the technical side, there is the unique display of the chronograph function in the center and mono-pusher control — see the two center-set timing hands — one dedicated to the chronograph seconds, the other (red-tipped) a 60-min counter with red superluminova.  Bottom line is that this is a great looking watch with equally attractive technical features centered around the mon0-pusher chronograph.

Corum Admiral’s Cup Seafender 44 Chrono Centro

 44mm titanium case (15.3mm thick), automatic mechanical mono-pusher chronograph movement (COSC), textile strap with red stitching

Corum ENERGY TEAM and Boat

Crans-Montana, Switzerland:  Downhill skiing legend Didier Cuche was recently honored by Montres Corum (he is also an Ambassador for the brand) with a limited edition piece bearing his likeness.   This past week, Cuche won the Super-G on his home course as part of the World Cup circuit, his 21st career World Cup win and sixth in super-G.  Following the racing, Cuche and a select group of fans and friends joined Corum CEO Antonio Calce to present Cuche with a vivid Corum Admiral’s Cup Chronograph Centro fitted on a black vulcanized rubber strap with folding clasp.  Just 100 pieces will be produced, sure to be snapped up by Cuche’s most ardent fans.  Corum also put together a great 40-second video featuring Cuche and the watch — don’t miss his signature “propeller kick” trick at the end of the clip!

Corum Admiral’s Cup Didier Cuche Edition Watch

limited edition 100 pieces

44mm case, automatic mechanical movement (COSC), black/gray dial with tapestry of Didier Cuche head

VIDEO

Corum CEO Antonio Calce presents Dider Cuche with his new watch