Corum Golden Bridge Classic “Serpent”

Corum has always been a brand that defies convention, but with their latest creation, the Golden Bridge “Serpent,” they’ve taken their bold vision to an entirely new level. Since its founding in 1955, the brand has distinguished itself through a pioneering spirit, daring designs and revolutionary movements. The Golden Bridge model, a hallmark of this tradition, perfectly encapsulates Corum’s philosophy.

The Golden Bridge’s journey began in 1977 at the International Inventors’ Fair in Geneva, where independent watchmaker Vincent Calabrese showcased a patented watch composed of 45 components. Corum quickly recognised the innovation and acquired the patent, collaborating with Calabrese to further develop this unique movement. The inspiration for the Golden Bridge arose from an intriguing story. A client had asked Calabrese to repair only the case of a damaged watch, disregarding the movement’s importance.

This prompted Calabrese to design a watch that would highlight the movement itself. By 1980, the first Golden Bridge was unveiled at the Basel Fair, accompanied by seven patent filings. Despite the challenges of the quartz crisis in the 1980s, the Golden Bridge achieved significant success, cementing Corum’s reputation as a leader in watchmaking innovation. The linear baguette movement, both a technical and aesthetic marvel, stands out with its 18-carat gold bridges and main plate, all intricately hand-engraved.

This extraordinary timepiece features a 5N rose gold tonneau-shaped case, nearly encased in sapphire crystals, offering a mesmerizing view of the Golden Bridge CO 113 movement. Comprising over 190 components, this manual movement operates at 4 Hz and provides a 40-hour power reserve—a remarkable achievement for a barrel of this size. Corum’s watchmakers ensure precision with a variable inertia balance, finely adjusted for optimal performance. However, the true artistry of this watch lies in its integration of micro-sculpture and painting.

At the centre of an 18-carat gold jungle, complete with hand-painted leaves and vines, a serpent coils around the iconic Golden Bridge movement. This artistic creation demands nearly a hundred hours of meticulous craftsmanship, from initial design through to micro-sculpture and painting, resulting in a truly unique piece. The multiple sapphire crystals allow admirers to view every detail of this masterpiece, delivering an unparalleled visual experience.

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 as a niche brand aimed at demanding collectors of unconventional timepieces. Corum’s current pillars include five collections that embody its vision of 21st-century watchmaking: Admiral, Bubble, Golden Bridge, Heritage, and Lab.