#Corums #Ultra #Cool #Collectible #Watches #WorthPoint
As Swiss watch companies go, Corum is not an old name in the timepiece business. The founders of the company, René Bannwart and his uncle Gaston Ries, however, brought decades of Swiss watchmaking experience to their new brand when it was established in the 1950s. Given that, it’s not surprising the innovation and style reflected in Corum’s timepieces make them favorites among luxury watch consumers. It’s also a brand on my personal most-wanted list if I ever happen upon a fortune.
What makes them special in my eye? Some Corum watches have peacock feathers decorating the face, while others include rare materials like meteorites. Another interesting example I’ve seen emulates the grill of a Rolls Royce with the shape of its golden case. The Trapeze watches they made have interesting trapezoid-shaped cases and mother-of-pearl dials. And while all these novelties are certainly cool, there’s one Corum collection I’m particularly passionate about. Before we get to those, humor me as I share a few other Corum collectible watches I wouldn’t say no to if gifted with one.
The Heritage Coin Watch
Corum still produces several styles of Heritage watches, and one of those is the Heritage Coin Watch. This classic Corum style, introduced in 1964, has been owned by numerous American presidents and many in the know when it comes to design and art.
When I first learned about these watches years ago, I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with them. I thought using an American gold coin to form both the dial and the back of the case made for a beautiful presentation in these classic timepieces. Then I found out that the coins used to craft them were sliced in half to accommodate the movement, and that sort of ruined it. As an ardent proponent of preserving history through collecting, how could I condone destroying a pristine gold coin to create a watch? Well, as the years have passed, my views have softened a bit, and I’ve decided that a new collectible is born every time one of these watches is made. They’re usually marketed to men, but I also love the look for the modern woman, especially models with leather bands.
Corum’s Golden Bridge Collection
The Golden Bridge collection by Corum came about in the 1980s. What makes this style so unique is that the gears and mechanisms making up the movement are all mounted in a line on a literal golden bridge that makes up the dial. It takes the idea of the rectangular skeletal watch a step further, giving it a sculptural look. In addition to being clear on the back, the sides of the Golden Bridge are also open, giving another peek into the layers of components making up these fine timepieces. If that weren’t enough, many versions have diamond bezels.
The Golden Bridge has since been used in round and rectangular-shaped cases with oodles of gemstones and precious metal embellishments surrounding the basic concept, but I prefer the understated (if a skeletal watch can really be understated) look of the originals. Corum has even made a functional table clock that looks like a giant Golden Bridge watch—the quintessential cool home or office décor in the right setting.
The Bubble Collection by Corum
Corum’s Bubble collection was introduced in 2000 as a new era of innovation was ushered in by a new owner, Severin Wunderman. These watches were clearly made to appeal to collectors, with various themes depicted on the dials ranging from comic characters to gambling motifs. What makes them so unique, however, is the paperweight-style domed sapphire crystal that distorts the dial. Even examples made with traditional watch dials and complications are instantly recognized as Bubble watches due to those unique rounded crystals.
Wunderman came up with the idea for the Bubble by studying a dive watch made during the 1960s. The experimental watch had a large domed crystal to hold up during deep-sea dives. He liked the look and successfully incorporated it into Corum’s own designs. I’m personally attracted to some of the designs on the dials as much as the rounded pieces of glass that cover them.
Buckingham from the Artisan Collection
So, here we are at the last but not least section of this feature. Corum’s Buckingham timepieces are eye-catching on their own, with square cases and out-of-the-ordinary numerals around the dial. But the Buckingham Artisan Collection adds panache to this basic watch style, making it my absolute favorite among all types of watches. These amazing creations are colorful, eye-catching works of art complete. And when I mention art here, you can take that literally.
Each one of these little beauties has a miniature painting forming the dial. André Martinez is the artist behind these works that feature floral and bird-related themes. In the vein of hand-decorated timepieces produced during the 1800s (which I would also love to own), he painstakingly plied the brush strokes on mother of pearl for each of these small 21st-century masterpieces using a microscope. Each one took 50 hours or more to produce, and the result is just outstanding.
As someone who owns a modest collection of original art, extending that to wearing a one-of-a-kind painting on my wrist would be the epitome of what I’d want in a cool luxury watch. I’m particularly fond of a flamingo version of this timepiece, but they’re all magnificent.
You’ll find many of these Corum selections and more in the Worthpoint® Price Guide. You can also learn more about Corum watches from our Dictionary. Which Corum is your favorite?
Pamela Siegel is a freelance writer and author who has been educating collectors for more than two decades. In addition to three books on topics relating to antiques and collectibles, she frequently shares her expertise through online writing and articles for print-based publications. Pamela is also the co-founder of Costume Jewelry Collectors Int’l (CJCI) and the proprietor of Chic Antiques by Pamela.
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