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…
'Rule number one', declares Audemars Piguet CEO François-Henry Bennahmias, 'Is that the Royal Oak Concept is not your first watch.' Often described as a 'spaceship watch', it stands out for its thick, recognisable, and always balanced architecture. The horology house utilise this watch in order to invent and impress, often using overtly avant-garde design codes.…
Jean-Claude Biver is a figurehead which many know and associate with watchmaking in this day and age. A huge collector in his own right, he was integral in the turnaround of the Blancpain brand, as well has having held positions of power at the likes of Omega and Hublot. Eventually he went on to create…
It is a watch brand that is actually only known to true connoisseurs: Lang & Heyne from Radeberg near Dresden. The timepieces are not only technically extremely sophisticated with their in-house developed and produced movements, but also finished with a remarkable attention to detail. We wanted to find out more about this small watch manufacture,…
October 24 is a day of significance for A. Lange & Söhne. On this very day in 1994, Walter Lange and Günter Blümlein presented the company's first four watches in Dresden. Since then, the 24th has been regarded as the manufacture's birthday. This year, it is being honoured with a limited edition of a model…
With the help of a sophisticated marketing concept and innovative technologies, Richard Mille has set out to shake up the watch industry. Since the company was founded in 1999, the brand has set itself the goal of uniting top-quality craftsmanship and futuristic watch design, while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of technical innovation. It all began…
A good reputation is easily lost, but takes far longer to build. So when Jaeger-LeCoultre is often – and fondly – referred to today as the ‘watchmaker of watchmakers’, it may sound like a well-worn phrase, yet there are countless reasons and decades of history behind it. The current Polaris collection, including recent additions such…
This article is going to take a little trip back into the past. We are going to head back about 40 years – more specifically, to the year 1972. An excellent designer by the name of Gerald Genta had just made a name for himself in the watch industry. Almost overnight, he had dreamt up…
Originally introduced as part of Omega’s legendary toolwatch trilogy alongside the Speedmaster and Seamaster 300, the Railmaster was intended to rival the Rolex Milgauss. Yet, it never truly caught on and was discontinued after only six years in production. Nevertheless, the Railmaster is a watch that uniquely combines significant historical relevance with a harmonious design…
Patek Philippe is discontinuing several models, including the Nautilus 5711/1A-010. Jewellers and authorised retailers are receiving a "run-out" list, naming the models soon to be discontinued. In addition to the Nautilus, two Grandes Complications and two models from the Complications collection are also being left behind. The full list of discontinued models can be found…
From complicated Chinese calendars and ground-breaking diver's watches to serene Villeret moonphase models, Blancpain has long been a master of not only horological finesse, but also design. Now, the brand is opening a new chapter with the introduction of three new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune variations, alongside additions to its three-hand…
One of the true deities of French Haute Joaillerie, luxury goods house Cartier has been revered for its tradition, elegance, and class since its founding in 1847. It is also known for its watches, from the dainty Tank to the statement Santos-Dumont. What it is less celebrated by wider audiences beyond the niche realms of…
The transformation of Breitling over the past three years is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting recent developments in the watch industry. In the spotlight is CEO and co-owner Georges Kern, who both initiated and is responsible for his brand’s transformation. Major expansion plans were also put into place for 2020, with a…