Corum Golden Bridge turned 35 in 2015. Conceived by Vincent Calabrese, the transparent watch with never before seen linear mechanical movement became such an iconic creation that Corum has often found itself in a paradox of having its flagship arguably eclipse other collections in their repertoire.
Indeed, both innovative movement and sandwich sapphire crystal case were amazing breakthroughs in the 70s and a spark of brilliant mechanical reprieve from the encroaching tsunami of quartz devices. Thus, it can be implied that the Corum Golden Bridge were among the mechanical watches which served on the frontlines of a commercial war whose outcome was all but certain. To understand the appeal of the Corum Golden Bridge is to acknowledge something else: the elevation of the watchmaking artist behind the creation – prior to Calabrese, designers like Genta were more likely to be recognised. While the Corum Golden Bridge can be found in many shapes, Basel 2017 sees introduction of the Corum Golden Bridge Rectangle.
“The Golden Bridge is the capstone of Corum’s collections. Its innovative aesthetic and unique movement construction are timeless. With this new Rectangle version, we wanted to go further with the architecture of the timepiece itself to create yet another classic edition of our signature haute horlogerie timepiece.” – David Traxler, Corum CEO
Basel 2017 – Corum Golden Bridge Rectangle
In 2016, working with Italian jewelry designer Dino Modolo who was previously Creative Director for Gucci Group’s accessories Corum added the Golden Bridge Ronde to the collection. For 2017, Modolo enriches the collection once more with the Corum Golden Bridge Rectangle. A svelte, dressy rectangular construct, the newly refined look of the Corum Golden Bridge Rectangle finds a new home for the Calibre CO113, last seen in a round case at the last Baselworld, and also newly enhanced finishing – a play of engraving and decoration which brings out the fine geometry of both bridge movement and the 18 karat gold Roman numerals which surrounds it – the result is harmony and a side of nostalgia courtesy of familiar rivets and shapes which recall the namesake San Francisco Golden Bridge.
Art Deco design codes play up the classic elegance of the new Corum Golden Bridge Rectangle but with newfound straightline symmetry, the subtle interaction of beauteous discretion and head turning engineering beckons you to turn eyes toward the seemingly suspended linear turning gears and breathing balance as stored energy travels up from the Calibre CO113’s mainspring at 6 to the escapement at 12, all while “suspended” between twin panes of sapphire crystal, the transparent aesthetic motif of the famed Golden Bridge series.
The new Corum Golden Bridge Rectangle tapers to wrist and is water resistant to 30 metres thanks to new material technology and modern seals unavailable on the original Bridge models from the 70s and 80s.
