DAZZLING HEIGHTS
Noted for their exquisite craftsmanship, Corum’s offerings of unique and daring chronographs exude wonder and excitement
across an impressively varied collection
HOBO ARTISANS COIN WATCH
It once was the poor man’s coin. Five cents, made from nickel, issued shortly before the Great Depression. They were worth so little that even vagrants would rework them to earn a miserly profit. This earned them the name “hobo coins”. They were the creation of travelling workers who crossed the continent in freight trains, soldiers bound for the front during the First World War, or penniless artists seeking an American dream.
Today, genuine hobo coins have become extremely scarce. Since 1992, an independent organisation, the Original Hobo Nickel Society has steadfastly preserved this heritage, determined to prevent this popular art form from falling into obscurity.
Freelance artist Aleksey Saburov is helping to promote its historic revival. A Russian engraver living in New York, he produces 21st-century hobo coins. Each entirely handengraved hobo coin will be a unique piece by definition. Saburov has produced a number of original motifs for Corum, each of which will become the dial of a 43 mm timepiece powered by an in-house automatic mechanical movement. For the first time, this new “Coin” collection of unique pieces will be available on a denim strap. Its blue-grey tones are judiciously paired with the piece’s silver case and its blue sapphire crown.
Almost 50 years after being the first brand in the world to turn the famous $20 US double eagle into a cult timepiece, Corum is boldly and unabashedly reviving the art of monetary watchmaking ‒ impertinent, creative and unique.
GOLDEN BRIDGE RECTANGLE
JOACHIM HORSLEY
Millions of people know Joachim Horsley... without ever seeing or recognising him. He has composed film scores for Dreamworks productions, arranged songs for Michael Bublé and John Legend, performed on stage with Ben Folds, and even has a YouTube channel for his own arrangements, which have been played a record-breaking number of times with 10 million views in six months.Working to a frenzied pace, Joachim Horsley and Corum came together to create a unique watchmaking composition, which was unveiled at an exceptional show at the Folies Bergère in Paris on 15 February. This major international event lifted the veil on the Golden Bridge made to measure by Corum in his honour.
Part of a strictly limited edition, the Golden Bridge Joachim Horsley will be the first Corum watch to feature a metallic decoration on its sapphire case back. It depicts an extract from the original score of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony.
Corum also teamed up with Reuge to mark this partnership and to give the “Golden Bridge Joachim Horsley” a unique presentation. Specially designed for the artist, this music box will play three of the melodies personally arranged by Joachim Horsley. In addition, Corum will also now be giving its clients the chance to create their own Golden Bridge based on the same model. Their metallic sapphire case back decoration can feature a different score, or they can even choose a motif, letters, or a coat of arms. Innovative and creative, the La Chaux-de-Fonds brand is taking another step forward by offering collectors the possibility to create their own unique piece.
BUBBLE 47 CENTRAL TOURBILLON
“The tourbillon was designed for pocket watches. On wristwatches, its function is purely aesthetic. With the magnifying effect provided by the Bubble’s domed crystal, a tourbillon has never been as present or as powerful on a wristwatch. This novel approach provides us with a glimpse of the possibility of fine watchmaking for the Bubble.”
That’s how Jérôme Biard, the CEO of Corum, described the new Bubble Central Tourbillon. The Bubble’s 47mm case provide ample space for the tourbillon to fully express itself. Then there’s the central position of the tourbillon, a complex technical choice. The complication nevertheless features a pallet that is not soldered and makes it possible for this centrally placed tourbillon to catch the eye.
The absence of hands on the watch is also noteworthy. The hours and minutes are moved to the flange, where they are indicated by two triangular markers: one in black indicating the minutes, and another indicating the hours. The tourbillon itself indicates the seconds.
Finally, there is the Bubble’s domed sapphire crystal. The sapphire crystal acts as a magnifying glass on the tourbillon, a natural way of bringing out the slightest details. Taking advantage of this original watchmaking effect, Corum has depicted its key logo in the middle of the tourbillon, on its upper bridge. This delicate engraving is appearing for the first time. It’s worth noting in passing that Corum has opted for an authentic tourbillon, such as it was patented in 1801. In keeping with the spirit of the Bubble, the Central Tourbillon is a quirky and playful piece designed for everyday life.