It’s rare for a music concert to be interrupted so that a new watch can be presented, but nothing seemed more logical in the case of Corum’s presentation of its latest Golden Bridge model during a concert at the legendary Folies Bergères in Paris. The watch is dedicated to Joachim Horsley, a name that you may not know but which is behind the music scores for Dreamworks films and arrangements for Michael Bublé and John Legend, amongst others. The man himself was visibly overwhelmed when he saw the watch and the audience quickly forgave the intrusion at the sound of a Reuge mechanical music box faithfully reproducing Horsley’s quirky melodies. The music box, with interchangeable cylinders, is part of the packaging for this high-end timepiece.
Reuge mechanical music Box © Corum
Together with the likes of footballer Djibril Cissé (an avid collector of Corum’s Bubble watch, who was also present at the concert) and other ambassadors for the brand, Joachim Horsley is a perfect fit with Corum’s refreshing and off-beat take on the world of luxury watchmaking. Simply listening to how Horsley manages to seamlessly combine the undertones of classical music from the likes of Mahler and Bach with scintillating Cuban rhythms was enough in itself to make you forget all your troubles. It also explains how Horsley has amassed 10 million views on his YouTube channel in just six months. “It goes to show that one can break boundaries with a classical background while taking an audience to new, previously unexpected horizons,” explains Corum’s CEO Jérôme Biard. “At Corum Watches Vs Rolex we are taking this same path in watchmaking. It was a natural partnership. It is an ode to creativity, to non-conformism, and to celebrating new possibilities.”
Joachim Horsley and Jérôme Biard © Corum
The new Corum Golden Bridge Joachim Horsley edition is another great example of this non-conformism. Its baguette-shaped movement, aligned vertically top to bottom inside the rectangular case, is unconventional and immediately stands out. It also leaves either side of the case completely free for artistic expression, which in this case is particularly accomplished with an architectural and three-dimensional arrangement of highly stylised Roman numerals. It is available in white or rose gold and is the first Corum watch to have a metallised engraving on the case back. In this case it is an extract of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony but it could just as easily be any other musical score, motif or initials.
The new Golden Bridge Joachom Horsley Edition © Corum
Back in 2016, we had a chance to go hands-on together with all the Corum Golden Bridge Round that was a departure from past Golden Bridge watches by using a round case as opposed to the angular cases the group had been known for. For Baselworld 2017, designer Dino Modolo helps reunite the Golden Bridge into its ancestral roots together with the Corum Golden Bridge Rectangle. Since its first release in 1980, the Corum Golden Bridge has observed over a couple of variants, and this version keeps the collection’s hallmark feature – a movement that displays the full transfer of electricity from its spring barrel at 6 o’clock into the escapement in 12 o’clock. The caliber CO113 is what Corum describes as a “in-line baguette” motion, which has all of its components stacked up in a column-like form. Like the numerals, the bridge structure that supports the movement is made from 18k gold and decorated with a variety of engravings together with the brand name. This unique movement layout allows the wearer to look at every component in motion as electricity is transferred from one end of the case to the other. The detailed execution of this 18-karat golden Roman numeral constructions and rivets that encircle the motion are extremely cool to look at it – it seems like something King Midas would approve of.The grade CO113 is exactly what Corum describes as a “in-line baguette” motion, which has all of its parts piled up in a column-like shape. Like the numerals, the bridge structure that supports the motion is constructed of 18k gold and adorned with a variety of engravings alongside the brand name. This unique movement design permits the wearer to view every component in motion as electricity is transferred from one end of the case to the other. The motion itself works at 4Hz using a power reserve of 40 hours.
This is just a foretaste of where Jérôme Biard is taking the brand. Expect a complete overhaul of the brand’s visual identity at Baselworld, as well as a number of exciting products that WorldTempus has already had a sneak peek at. We will bring you a full interview with Mr Biard, outlining his objectives for the brand, during Baselworld.
