One of the watches Corum is famous for is the Golden Bridge. We covered a review of the classical Golden Bridge here and a ladies perspective on the ladies version here. We found it to be a charming watch, full of character. The classical Golden Bridge follows the form of the movement with a tonneau shaped case with sapphire glass on all sides. They did a foray into a round case with a limited edition run of 75 pieces in 2010, but have kept the tonneau shape. Till Baselworld 2016, where they launched the Golden Bridge Round, with inspiration from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
The classical Corum Golden Bridge is housed in a tonneau shaped case. The movement is the iconic design of Vincent Calabrese in the early 1980s. Corum has been producing the watch in its various case materials since. But always the timeless movement is encased in sapphire glass all round for all to admire. While this may not be a technical feat these days, some 35 years ago, when it first burst into the scene, it was considered a technical marvel to be able to showcase the movement like that. The design seem to be able to transcend the technical side of watchmaking and bring it together with the artistic.
In 2010, Corum made a special 75 piece Limited Edition of the iconic C0113 baguette movement in a round case. This was encased in a round rose gold case, and was retailed for US$25,000. The case size was then 41mm, and a black dial with vertical guilloché. The new 2016 Round Corum Golden Bridge has the movement inside a scaffold design which is inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
The Corum Golden Bridge Round is a very beautiful watch. We might have been bothered with the linkage to the Golden Bridge, and the additional clutter the design brings to the dial, but we cannot argue that despite that, it remains quite beautiful on the wrist. And at 43mm it wears well.
We love the movement, have always loved it, be it be encased in a tonneau case, or like it is here in a round case. We loved the little details like the relief engraving on the bridge. Like the little key logos flanking the Corum brand name on the dial. Its a very pleasant and refreshing take at a watch.
But we fear that by taking this path, Corum may have unintentionally ditched their unique sales proposition of the baguette movement in a baguette or tonneau case and make the Golden Bridge just another round watch. That would be a tragedy. We hope not. We hope Corum will continue to make the Corum classical Golden Bridge watches.
The mechanical Golden Bridge movement made a strong impact right from the time of its first presentation in 1980. Over 30 years ago, this exceptional baguette movement with its innovative construction wrote a new chapter in the history of watchmaking.
Introduced in 2011 for the very first time was an automatic version – with linear winding – which heralded a new era in the legend of this unique movement.
Few mechanical movements have had such a significant impact on horological history. The legendary Golden Bridge, first presented by Corum in 1980, has since then revealed the full measure of its powerful and enduring appeal.
This impressive baguette movement, built in a straight line and calling for exceptional watchmaking expertise, has adorned some of the most fabulous timepieces by the brand from La Chaux-de-Fonds.
In 2009, the Corum Golden Bridge baguette inspired the creation of the sophisticated and contemporary Ti-Bridge model, while 2010 saw the arrival of the first Golden Bridge tourbillon movement. In 2011, this amazing lineage entered a new era with the arrival of the self-winding Golden Bridge movement equipped with a linear oscillating weight.