The Nautical Legend: Corum Admiral AC-ONE 45 & Legend 42
At the time when the collection was first launched in the 1960th it was still called Admiral’s Cup, named after the legendary sailing regatta that took place from 1957 to 2003. The collection soon became famous as the ‘nautical-legend’ and was the first ever waterproof square wristwatch. In the 1980th the dial received its striking flags that are inspired from the international flag code taken from sailing sports. In 2006 the design was reworked and the Admiral’s Cup received its characteristic dodecagonal case shape. As the sailing regatta doesn’t exist any longer also the collection name has been changed to ‘Admiral’ – however, it hasn’t lost any of its sportive nature.
Corum Admiral – since 2006 equipped with a dodecagonal case design
Although you can find watches with tourbillon or perpetual calendar in the collection, the truly interesting watches are those that feature nautical elements. Whereas in 2008 the Haute Horlogerie played a more important role, todays focus is put on material – which we think does the collection very well. The Admiral AC-One 45 Bronze is the epitome of the almost 60 years old collection. It is as maritime as it can get. The watch looks like it was discovered in a sunk, antique shipwreck. And actually the bronze is artificially aged to a degree that it might well has undergone a few decades of deep sea diving.
Not made for weak wrists – Corum Admiral AC-One Bronze with 45mm case
It is a method that is exclusively used at CORUM. The artisan applies a specific product onto the case with a brush – the recipe is kept secret. This product intervenes directly on the material and modifies it by using heat. During the aging process each case develops its own patina. Hence the watches remain unique after treatment and appear in different brown shades from chestnut- to chocolate-brown. The treatment requires full attention, a lot of patience and plenty of knowledge. Finally the artisan covers the case with a protective wax.
Natural teak wood decorates the dial of the Admiral AC-One 45 Bronze
For everyone who prefers it less rustic can choose from a variety of other types. Either with titanium case (Admiral AC-One 45 Automatic), or with a stainless steel case and a rose gold bezel in a slightly smaller 42mm version (Admiral Legend 42).
Corum Admiral AC-One 45 Automatic with titanium case
Also the case design differs little between the Admiral AC-One and the Admiral Legend model types. The Admiral Legend design is generally a little bit more elegant, with its smoother roundings and open lugs. In terms of the Admiral AC-One models, case and bezel connect seamless onto the strap.
Elegant and maritime – the Corum Admiral Legend 42
A feature that all three types have in common is their teak wood dial. Hence 100% natural and inspired by ship-decks or from the famous Riva boats. Depending on case type, the colour of the wood appears to be brighter or darker. On the brighter dials the vertical grain comes to light more beautiful. Also every dial from the Admiral line is decorated with the traditional 12 nautical flags. The octagonal case and the flags are iconic, features that CORUM use very smart and which fans and clients appreciate a lot.
Trends shape the appearance of our society. Whereas recently big case design still dominated the watch landscape – for men as well as for women – the industry now goes back to smaller watch cases. The old shapes do not become superfluous however, because as we all know taste differs and overhauled trends always return. Panerai…
Retailer Bucherer is kicking off 2025 with the introduction of three special timepieces created in collaboration with watch manufactures Ulysse Nardin, Girard-Perregaux and Chopard. Each watch presents its own unique concept. The Ulysse Nardin Freak X Enamel combines its extraordinary movement construction with a deep green dial. Meanwhile, Girard-Perregaux offers up a tourbillon in a…
We very well remember the first time spotting tennis genius Raphael Nadal wearing an obvious big watch during matches. And not only for a soft warm up but during speedy rallies in his familiar aggressive style. How can this be comfortable? Nadal was not wearing an average steel case watch but a dedicated high-tech time-‘machine’…
As part of the launch of the current Seamaster Diver 300M collection, Omega is introducing a new version in grade 2 titanium and bronze gold. The design of the new Seamaster is based on the Seamaster Diver 300M ‘007’ Edition from 2019, thus complementing the recently presented stainless-steel versions of the Diver 300M. After a…
The watch industry has something of a penchant for superlatives, but it would be no exaggeration to say that this is, in many ways, the most exciting new product of the year: the Patek Philippe Cubitus. For the manufacture, it is the first new watch collection in a quarter of a century – the predecessor…
Looking back on the past is a habit that mankind has grown fond of. Because the future is always uncertain, because the experiences of the past have shaped us, and because once familiar times begin to fade from memory over the years. Moreover, we live in a time in which the designs of Gérald Genta…
Surely no horology house has ever entered into the vintage watch business in such a charming way: Jaeger-LeCoultre is introducing The Collectibles, a watch 'Bible' featuring its 17 most important models, dedicated primarily to the manufacture's collectors. But that's not all. Behind The Collectibles is another idea: offering up watch enthusiasts a carefully curated selection…
The Radiomir, a watch classic that was originally designed for functional use, has since established itself as a style element in the everyday life of many fashionable men. It is a model that is directly linked to the brand Panerai: the cushion-shaped case, the sandwich design of the dial and typical looped lugs that were used…
This is not a story about every tiny technical detail of every Submariner reference. This is a story that tells the tale of one of most famous watches on the planet. Whether the wearer is a diver or data analyst, the Submariner holds the position of Rolex's best-loved line to this day. But why is…
Omega has just introduced us to its latest novelties across a range of collections. Swisswatches Magazine had the opportunity to get Omega CEO and President Raynald Aeschlimann's take on OMEGA's brand new pieces, plans for the future, and how the horology house coped with change throughout 2020. On preserving its icons... Early into the conversation,…
When it comes to the LVRR-01 Chronographe à Sonnerie, it’s a tale of opposites: an artisanal workshop tucked away in Geneva and the largest luxury lifestyle brand on the planet, coming together as one. When Louis Vuitton x Akrivia announced that they would be collaborating to create a new watch, we questioned how these vastly different brands could come together…
Editor Catherine Bishop takes the new Panerai Luminor Due Luna editions for a spin. The watches mark the first time that the Luminor Due has integrated a complication – and what better way to start than with a moonphase? New moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, waning crescent…
Is the currently weak watch market perhaps lacking the sophistication to truly captivate top collectors who already have everything? Editor and watch expert Jörn Kengelbach embarks on a journey into the world of Vacheron Constantin’s enamel craftsmanship — and explores why this rare art could play a key role in the watchmaking industry’s spectacular comeback.…