

Limited Edition Corum Golden Bridge Automatic Watch

Although most watch manufacturers already presented their new collections at SIHH 2011, the Swiss Corum will demonstrate its upcoming Corum Golden Bridge Automatic Watch next month at Baselworld 2011 event. In 1980, Corum first presented to the world their historical and innovative Golden Bridge movement. It signaled a new era in watchmaking and set the standard with its exceptional baguette movement. Now, more than 30 years later, Corum is premiering the automatic variation of this legendary piece.

The nature of the automatic Golden Bridge needed something different than the ordinary half-circle style automatic rotor. So Corum uses a linear moving weight as an automatic winding mechanism. This linear moving weight concept is not new, but rarely used. It is part of the new Corum calibre CO313 movement that has 18k gold plates, guilloche machine engraved decoration, and shows just the time.

Housing the new calibre is a new tonneau-shaped case in red or white gold, with a mix of polished and satin-brushed surfaces. Slightly larger than its predecessors, it curves slightly to sit comfortably on the wrist. The dial parts like a curtain, putting the movement centre stage, while four sapphire crystals allow this micromechanical masterpiece to be admired from front, back and either side.

The Golden Bridge movement beats at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and boasts a 40-hour power reserve. The 194-part caliber is also fitted with a variable-inertia balance, which guarantees long-term precision as well as a barrel that is miniaturized to avoid breaking the smooth vertical lines of the mechanism. The use of precious and dense platinum for the linear oscillating weight prevents it from being slowed down or damped by a system of gaskets that send it swinging back in the other direction, thus ensuring continuous movement. A weight that floats on rails, its steel counterpart coated with PTFE Teflon, beryllium copper contact zones between the chariot and rails, and a reverser system equipped with ceramic ball bearings ensure optimized performance and allows for the piece to go without lubrication.

The mainplate and bridges are made of 18kt gold to match the case color and are adorned with a new vertical guilloché motif to match the linear design of the oscillating weight. Fitted with a crocodile leather strap fastened by a gold buckle, the Corum Golden Bridge Automatic Watch will be issued in limited production, comprising 130 in red gold and 70 in white gold. [Corum]