The Lasting Sailing Legacy of CORUM Watches   

From clothing to accessories, sailing’s impact on the world is far-reaching and includes the historic Swiss watchmaker CORUM. Read more.

An insight into the relationship between CORUM watches and the sailing community.  

Boating and yachting have a long history of luxury and the unique nature of life on the water has often influenced many brands and products. From clothing to accessories, sailing’s impact on the world is far-reaching and includes the historic Swiss watchmaker CORUM.  

The History of CORUM   

Founded in 1955 by René Bannwart and Gaston Ries in La Chaux-de-Fonds, CORUM watches boast the iconic quality of a Swiss watch while embodying the spirit of the ocean.  

The name CORUM was inspired by Bannwart’s fascination with the word “quorum”, which means the minimum number of persons present and necessary to hold discussions and make valid decisions. He simplified the spelling to CORUM, and the brand was born. In 1966, Jean-René Bannwart, son of the founding father, joined the company and together they created the models which became CORUM’s trademark, in particular the Admiral model. Three years after the Admiral’s Cup race in 1957, CORUM released its inaugural Admiral watch. The brand worked with the race organization to establish the first then-square Admiral watches that made their debut in 1960.  

The Admiral Watch Collection   

One of CORUM’s most iconic collections, the Admiral contemporary design embraces the spirit of maritime sailing. This collection is beloved by collectors, especially those with a yearning to indulge in an active yet elegant lifestyle. CORUM’s designers and expert craftsmen continually unveil new versions of the coveted Admiral in sizes running from 38 mm to 45 mm, each with a distinctive dial motif.

CORUM’s designers and expert craftsmen continually unveil new versions of the coveted Admiral in sizes running from 38 mm to 45 mm, each with a distinctive dial motif.  

“Thanks to a rich history and heritage in maritime and competitive sailing, CORUM fuses the spirit of sport and glamor in its collections by transforming highly technical performance timepieces into stylish masterpieces. To form a stronger bond with sailing, each of the Admiral timepieces includes nautical pennants to stand for hours on the dial. These pennants are derived from the Maritime International Code of Signals (CS), which uses flags to communicate numbers,” explains Richard Louis, Vice President North America and Caribbean for CORUM.  

To form a stronger bond with sailing, each of the Admiral timepieces includes nautical pennants to stand for hours on the dial. These pennants are derived from the Maritime International Code of Signals (CS). 

In the decades since its launch, the Admiral has introduced more visionary evolutions of the watch, which are always inspired by marine races and sailing. As Louis adds, “CORUM has a long history tied to sailing which is expressed in our Admiral Collection. In 1960, we formed a partnership with the Admiral’s Cup yacht race and developed the first interpretation of the watch. In fact, on the back of the case, a sailboat was engraved by hand with the name: Admiral’s Cup.”   

A Modern Timepiece for Sailors   

Today, as CORUM answers the call of contemporary casual navigators and lovers of the sea, the new timepieces are ready to go the distance. The Admiral series can be found in gold, steel, two-tone and even bronze cases, with dials that range all the way to complete teak wood that resembles a luxury yacht deck. 

“Throughout the years CORUM has strived to bring the feeling of a sailing race to the watches. New case sizes and enhancements have expanded the collection and an extensive range is available for all tastes, not only sailing enthusiasts. More recently, the name of the collection has been shortened to one word that encapsulates the whole collection, Admiral,” comments Louis.  

Inspired by Sailing Heritage   

As with the yacht and sailing world, the designs and products evolve but the true spirit of being on the water stays the same. The ever-present nature of the oceans is seen in the watches that are inspired by the tides and seasonal colors. For instance, the brand’s Tides watches, as the name suggests, help the wearer navigate the changing oceans while on board. The design team is continually improving the features and functions of the timepieces. “Most recently CORUM has been exploring its avant-garde spirit by combining new materials in their watches. This can be seen most effectively in the newest versions of the Admiral 45 with cases made of carbon combined with either gold or luminescent material,” says Louis. “These new timepieces not only have a unique look to them but are also light and functional for any sailing enthusiast.”   

“These new timepieces not only have a unique look to them but are also light and functional for any sailing enthusiast.”   

As with all sailing equipment, CORUM products undergo vigorous testing to ensure that the watches are an asset to those on board.

All of the timepieces in Corum’s collections undergo rigorous testing to ensure their high quality and performance which is synonymous with the brand. Every part of the watch is meticulously checked for functionality in a range of different environments.
Tests include everything from amplitude and rate checks to how water resistant the case is and air resistance. The sea is also an ongoing design inspiration for the brand.

“Our watches are inspired by vintage sailing boats – from dials inspired by wooden decks to bronze cases that reflect the historic materials of old ships – while always boasting modern technology to assist in navigating the seas.”   

To learn more about CORUM watches and discover why it is the go-to brand for the sailing world, click here.  

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