In praise of the essence of feminine sporting eleganceBASELWORLD 2013: The Admiral’s Cup Legend 38 Chronograph
Already known for its elegant, feminine and refined character, it now also adopts a resolutely sporting attitude. Beating to the tune of a chronograph movement, the Admiral’s Cup Legend 38 Chronograph welcomes a new complication to this prestigious line. An extremely glamorous horological composition skillfully orchestrated around an immediately recognizable twelve-sided case.
The admirably graceful and delicate new Admiral’s Cup Legend 38 Chronograph distils time in an infinitely harmonious and gentle manner. The hours and minutes are marked off on the shimmering white or grey mother-of-pearl dial, enhanced by the sparkle of 11 diamond hour-markers (totaling approx. 0.22 carats). Framed by the iconic nautical pennants of the Admiral’s Cup collection, the inner bezel ring gives unique depth to this elegant ballet, further reinforcing the fascinating effects of the light playing across its surfaces. The white counters featuring a snailed central motif occupy the lower part of the dial: small seconds at 3 o’clock, 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock and 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock. Meanwhile, the date appears between 4 and 5 o’clock. The rhodium-coated or 5N red goldcoated chronograph seconds hand bearing the distinctive Corum key is complemented by white Superluminova-coated openworked facetted hour and minute hands.
Loyal to the original design codes of the Admiral’s Cup, the twelve-sided 38 mm case proclaims its stature as a timeless work of art. Playing on the theme of materials, it appears in steel, 5N 18kt red gold or in a two-tone variation with steel case middle topped by an 5N 18kt red gold bezel. The latter’s twelve angles are lit up by 72 white diamonds (approx. 0.59 cts) accentuating this shape that has raised to icon status in the course of the past 50 and more years.
Beating at the heart of the Admiral’s Cup Legend 38 Chronograph is automatic Caliber CO 132. This precise, high-performance movement oscillates at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and has a 42-hour power reserve. The magic of its gear trains is revealed through the transparent sapphire case-back that gives pride of place to the finely decorated oscillating weight.
The exquisitely feminine Admiral’s Cup Legend 38 Chronograph plays on its wealth of charming assets, extending right the way through to its grey or white satin strap fitted with either an 18K red gold pin buckle or a steel folding clasp; otherwise interpreted through a monochrome look with all-steel case and bracelet; or a two-tone composition with alternating steel and 5N 18kt red gold links.