CORUM WATCHES
CORUM is a Swiss luxury watch brand established in 1955 by René Bannwart. As an exclusive brand, CORUM offers ranges of exceptional quality watches that are innovative, with a distinctive design and dedicated complications. Since 2005, the brand has grown at a rapid pace. Founded on four pillars (The Admiral’s Cup – The Romvlvs – The Golden Bridge – The Artisans), the collection includes models equipped with mechanical movements whose prices range from 5’000 US$ to 1 million US$ integrating precious metals and technical complexity.
History of CORUM Watch Company
With his strong entrepreneurial spirit and watchmaking experience acquired from the most prestigious watch manufacturers, René Bannwart founded his own brand and created CORUM in 1955 with his uncle Gaston Ries.
Particularly fascinated by the word “quorum” which means the minimum number of persons present and necessary to hold discussions and make valid decisions, however René Bannwart simplified the spelling to CORUM.
Right from the time of its creation in 1955 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, CORUM displayed a determination to position itself at the forefront of the Swiss watch industry.
The emblem, a key pointing skywards, is a symbol of the mystery to be fathomed, the enigma to be resolved, of new territories to be explored, and of innovation. It also alludes to the inventiveness, tenacity and bold spirit required in order to attain the total mastery of time.
In 1956 the first CORUM watches appeared on the market and the brand launched a veritable cascade of new ideas with great success. It was even recognized by its peers as one of the most creative in the industry. In 1966 Jean-René Bannwart, the son of the founding father, joined the watchmaking company. He created the models which became Corum’s trademark, in particular the Admiral’s Cup model.
In 1957, launch of the Golden Tube model, a tube of gold in which the movement is inserted. This creation is the basis for the famous Golden Bridge model (1980), the first baguette movement.
In 1958, the Chinese Hat watch sparked public curiosity with its bezel evoking the famous pyramid-shaped head covering worn by the people of China.
In 1960, the first interpretation of the Admiral’s Cup model with a square case was developed. This was one of the first ever water-resistant square watches. In 1964, the Coin Watch without a back cover was created with an ultra-flat movement that is set in an authentic gold coin, a $20 Double Eagle Coin. This model was worn by numerous U.S. Presidents and prominent personalities.
In 1965 came the first appearance of large-sized watches with the Buckingham model, which asserted itself through its oversized proportions that were extremely innovative at the time.
In 1966, the Romvlvs watch was unveiled, featuring the hour numerals engraved not on the dial, but on the bezel.
In 1970, CORUM introduced the Feather watch composed of genuine bird feathers. This artistic and technical feat called for great expertise.
In 1976, the Rolls-Royce watch once again underscored the avant-garde nature of the brand, since it represented the first ever partnership of this kind with a prestigious automobile manufacturer.
In 1980, the Golden Bridge with its delicately hand-engraved baguette movement revealed behind the perfectly transparent sapphire crystal case embodied the pinnacle of technical and horological mastery.
In 1983, the famous Admiral’s Cup design was reinterpreted in a version with nautical pennants corresponding to the international maritime code and serving as hour-markers on a twelve-sided bezel.
Introduced in 1986, the CORUM Meteorite model featured a dial cut from an authentic meteorite.
In 1991, the Admiral’s Cup adventure continued with the victory of the CORUM team in the legendary sailing race after which the line is named. In 1993, the Admiral’s Cup Tides watch was launched.
Fitted with an exclusive CORUM movement CO277, it indicates vital information such as the lunar cycle and the time of the tides, as well as the strength of the tide, an estimation of water levels and the strength of the currents.
In 1997, CORUM filed a patent for a new invention showcased in the Tabogan watch, equipped with an ingenious mechanism allowing the watch case to be positioned upright, and thus transforming the wristwatch into a table clock.
In 2000, René Bannwart was honored with the GAÏA distinction of the International Museum of Horology in the category of Craftsmanship & Design. A symbolic recognition awarded to him for his contribution to watchmaking history and culture, which also echoes the spirit of CORUM.
In January 2000, the arrival of a new owner and President – Severin Wunderman, an internationally renowned icon of the watchmaking industry – gave CORUM a whole new boost. Displaying his characteristic creativity and ingenuity, he revitalized the company. At Severin Wunderman’s request, Antonio Calce joined CORUM in 2005. Jointly they established a strategy to conquer new horizons, while remaining faithful to the pioneering and independent spirit on which the brand has built its success.
In 2000 the Bubble watch was introduced. Fitted with an 11mm thick sapphire crystal, it created a magnifying-glass effect which became the model’s signature feature.
With the Trapèze watch in 2001, Corum created a new style evoking subtle grace. Its name evocative of its shape and large size gave a truly timeless design.
In 2005, the Classical Vanitas marked the world premiere of marquetry-work as applied to watch dials. The stone and marble parts were meticulously cut to fit together like a mosaic.
In 2005, in celebration of Corum’s 50th Anniversary, the Golden Bridge was reinterpreted in a contemporary vein, imbuing the original 1980s model with the spirit of the 21st century.
2006 heralded the renewal of the Admiral’s Cup model. While offering a more contemporary, boldly designed collection, CORUM nonetheless maintained its essential aesthetic characteristics: the famous twelve-sided case and the nautical pennants.
In 2007, the legendary Romvlvs was reborn with an elegant and contemporary spirit, interpreting the classical codes of the brand. Its new design perpetuates the distinctive nature of its Roman numerals engraved on the bezel and is distinguished both by its double-curving case creating an elliptical effect on the bezel, and by its domed sapphire crystal. The wave-profile of the bezel is engraved around the entire circumference with a perfectly polished longitudinal stripe.
In 2007 Antonio Calce was promoted to serve as CEO. As an experienced strategist he was entrusted with the mission of repositioning the brand in the high end horology segment. On June 25th 2008, Severin Wunderman passed away at the age of 69. A man of arts and culture with a strong sense of philanthropy, he left his mark on the watchmaking industry with his daring creations.
In 2008, thanks to a repositioning driven by a determination to achieve consistency, along with the launch of several emblematic models, all confirming its remarkable expertise in the field of Haute Horlogerie – most notably the Admiral’s Cup Tourbillon 48 and the Romvlvs Perpetual Calendar – CORUM experienced a remarkable year.
On August 18th 2008, CORUM appointed Serge Weinberg – a personal friend and financial advisor of Severin Wunderman – as Chairman of the Board. As founder of an investment firm called Weinberg Capital Partners, active in mergers and acquisitions operations as well as real estate investments, he brought his vast experience in the luxury sector to the company.
In 2009 once again revealed CORUM’s apparently inexhaustible creativity. The brand wrote a major new chapter in its history by presenting its second in-house movement. Designed, developed and assembled within the brand’s workshops, the Ti-Bridge is the first model to house the new CO 007 caliber.
In October 2009, the company signed the takeover of its distribution agent in the North American and Caribbean markets, CORUM USA LLC, and Antonio Calce was appointed as President of the new American subsidiary. At the end of this same year, CORUM inaugurated its first boutique in Hong-Kong. Two other boutiques – in Geneva and in Shanghai – opened their doors in 2010.
In January 2010, at the dawn of CORUM’s jubilee year, its founding father René Bannwart passed away in his 95th year. René Bannwart was known for his humanistic and aesthetic values. His strong creativity has been illustrated for CORUM by many outstanding creations which have strongly anchored the DNA of the brand.
In 2010, CORUM celebrated its 55th anniversary, a half century of the Admiral’s Cup and 30 years of the Golden Bridge.
In 2011, the brand launched its exceptional baguette movement in an automatic version – with linear winding.
In 2012, CORUM presented the Admiral’s Cup Legend 46 Minute Repeater Acoustica, never before had a minute repeater marked off time by chords.
In 2013, China Haidian Holdings Limited acquired major shareholding in CORUM. In the mid of 2013, the company signed a Partnership with Mr. Vincent Calabrese, a well known Swiss watch maker who initiated the brand’s iconic Golden Bridge movement. In the same year CORUM opened their new boutique at Aventura Mall in Miami.
In 2013, the launch of the Ti-Bridge Automatic Dual Winder brought the first self-winding movement to the Ti-Bridge line. This new winding system – designed, developed and patented by CORUM – derives its energy from two interconnected in-line oscillating weights.
In 2014, Antonio Calce (CEO of Montres Corum Sàrl from Jan 2007 to April 2014) left the company and joined SOWIND Group.
In 2014, the brand marked the evolution of an icon among sea-lovers in a reworked design: the Admiral’s Cup AC-One 45 Tides watch. 21 years after its launch, this model with its mechanical movement, remains a truly unique complication in the Fine Watchmaking world. Its exclusive nature forcefully reaffirms Corum’s longstanding, solid nautical anchorage.
In 2015, Citychamp Watch & Jewelry Limited (previous name: China Haidian Group) appointed David Traxler as the CEO of Corum.
In 2015, CORUM celebrated its 60th anniversary by creating the Admiral’s Cup Legend 42 Flying Tourbillon timepiece featuring a sapphire dial offering full view on the mechanism. In the same year, the Bubble watch was relaunched and a new round case of 43 mm was introduced with the Golden Bridge line.
In 2017, Jérôme Biard became the CEO of Corum and Eterna. In 2019, Jérôme left the company and joined Roventa-Henex SA as the CEO.
In 2025, Corum returned to Swiss hands following a buyout led by Sales Director Haso Mehmedovic, backed by a group of seasoned Swiss investors. The new management appointed Haso as CEO and Chairman of the Board.
