Power and contrasts for a legend in movementBASELWORLD 2014: The Corum Golden Bridge Automatic Titan
Like a burning fire born of an alliance between gold and titanium, the legendary Golden Bridge Automatic from Corum appears in a whole new light. Contrasts, transparency and an exceptional mechanism combine in this new interpretation of an iconic contemporary Haute Horlogerie model.
Beating steadily at its heart is the spectacular and exclusive Corum CO313 caliber with its linear oscillating weight, set off to its best advantage by the metallized sapphire dial. Or what happens when history meets the future.
In 1980, a time when conformism and caution were all too prevalent, Corum caused a major ripple in watch industry waters by presenting its Golden Bridge baguette movement. This incredible mechanical caliber defying the laws of horological kinetics had what it takes to go down in history. It did just that and ever since, not content with merely turning heads, it has constantly evolved, proving an ever greater source of fascination in its tourbillon version – and in 2011 with a spectacular automatic development featuring a linear oscillating weight.
Riding the same innovative momentum that left an indelible imprint on watchmaking almost 35 years ago, Corum now presents a new interpretation of its legendary Golden Bridge. Combining the gold of a fabled movement with the titanium of a sleek, sophisticated case, the new Golden Bridge Automatic demonstrates the wide range of skills cultivated by Corum. From the mechanical complexity of its exceptional movement to the powerful design of a case in titanium grade 5 with black DLC treatment, the new Golden Bridge is a comprehensive expression of its multiple fields of competence.
The new Golden Bridge Automatic in titanium – clad in a contrasting black color that admirably highlights the gold movement – plays the alchemist with the theme of transparency by revealing a subtle architecture. From this 360° transparency when the watch is not worn, it turns opaque once secured to the wrist, which is duly hidden from sight in order to enhance the magic of an exclusive linear mechanism. The secret of this fascinating orchestration lies in a striated metalized decoration on the sapphire crystal case back. This stunningly transparent architecture creates a play on perspectives, alternating hiding or revealing the exterior elements of the watch. Made of gold like the movement itself, the hour-markers applied on the sapphire dial accentuate the overall depth effect, while the openworked hands lend a light, airy touch.
Beating at the heart of this fascinating set of optical effects is Corum’s exclusive CO313 caliber, an automatic linear-winding baguette movement. Equipped with a platinum linear oscillating weight along with a slipping spring mechanism, this mechanical masterpiece beats at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and enjoys a 40-hour power reserve. The 194 part movement also features a variable-inertia balance – a guarantee of long-term high precision – and a miniaturized barrel designed to avoid disrupting the resolutely vertical nature of this model. The mainplate and bridges are in 18K red gold, adorned with a finely hand-crafted vertical guilloché motif providing a delightful visual accompaniment for the linear motion of the oscillating weight.
Reflecting a confident, self-assured nature, the new Corum Golden Bridge Automatic comes on a black crocodile strap fitted with a titanium pin buckle bearing the Corum key, and is water-resistant to 30 meters.