SpotlightCorum And Nomos Update Their Signature Collections At Watches And Wonders 2021
The second day of Watches and Wonders saw Corum and Nomos upgrade their signature collections. Besides ingenious mechanical concepts, what stood out were timepieces dedicated to medical professionals and academicians. Here are the highlights
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If 2020 can be dubbed as the year of reckoning for luxury brands (and consumers), 2021 is the year of realisation. Love it or hate, digital and ‘phygital’ initiatives have taken centre stage. Watches and Wonders—the annual international watch and jewellery show—organised by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, dons a new, updated digital format this year. All information is just a click away on the digital platform of Watches and Wonders, where 40 acclaimed brands are unveiling their latest offerings. From 3D films—offering a visually immersive experience—to elaborate presentations decoding the latest technical breakthroughs, there is a lot to soak in.
Day two of the fair saw Swiss watchmakers Corum debut a new tourbillon edition (among other updates) as a part of their iconic Admiral collection. While German watchmaker, Nomos Glashütte launched the Tangente ‘50 ans Médecins Sans Frontières’—a limited edition timepiece commemorating 50 years of Doctors Without Borders.
Here are all the highlights
Corum Updates Its Admiral Collection
Admiral 45 Automatic Openworked Flying Tourbillon Carbon And Gold
Owing to its avant-garde aesthetic and innovative engineering, this 60-year-old collection has acquired legendary status among sailing enthusiasts. Defined by its timepieces featuring dodecagonal-shaped bezel and colourful nautical pennants, the collection exemplifies Corum’s technical prowess. Case in point is their latest Admiral 45 Automatic Openworked Flying Tourbillon—interpreted in ultralight carbon, infused with 18-karat gold, created in a limited edition of just 48 pieces. The dual-textured material adds an aesthetic edge to the 45mm case, creating a glitter effect.
However, the defining component of the timepiece is its automatic flying tourbillon movement—CO 298—which was created in-house. Beating at a frequency of 21,600vph, it packs a power reserve of 72 hours, and offers incredible precision. Those intrigued by the skeleton movement of this watch can see the dextrously crafted components and bridges functioning together with the constantly rotating flying tourbillon movement via an open-worked movement visible on both, the dial and caseback sides. Adding to its durability (offering water resistance up to 100m) and utilitarian appeal, is its strap made of rubber and synthetic textiles with genuine gold stitching—making it a perfect specimen of Corum’s robust watchmaking, with a little flair.
The New Admiral Automatic Range—In 42 and 38mm Versions
More variants that have been unveiled as a part of the coveted Admiral collection are the Admiral 42 Automatic watches with updated design details. For those stainless steel fans, this watch (limited to 100 pieces only) features a gradient grey dial that becomes a perfect backdrop for pennants in grey. Adding more character to the timepiece is a unique interplay of monochromatic hues, reminiscent of fog rolling in from the oceans. Packed in a 42mm steel case, the watch is coated with an anti-fingerprint coating.
Another variation of this model is available in steel and 18-karat gold—featuring a ‘cloud’ white dial and colourful nautical pennants. This limited edition of 50 pieces is available with a matching steel-and-gold bracelet or with a dark blue strap. Equipped with CO 395 automatic movement, all the Admiral 42 Automatic models feature a small date window at three o’clock, and offer a 42-hour power reserve.
A little more resplendent, yet guaranteeing comfort is the new 38mm, titanium-cased Admiral 38 Automatic. It comes with a pale pink dial, featuring Corum’s signature grenadier fendu (split pomegranate) motif. An extra dose of bling comes in the form of 72 diamonds set on the titanium bezel. In addition to this, there is also a two-tone rendition—featuring a white dial, with an 18-karat gold bezel on the titanium case, set with diamonds. It comes with a two-tone bracelet or a white vulcanised rubber strap.
Nomos Unveils A Special Edition Tangente, Among Other Updates
Nomos Glashütte celebrated medical professionals and academic achievements through their state-of-the-art timepieces.
Tangente Commemorates 50 Years Of Doctors Without Borders
Commemorating 50 years of Doctors Without Borders—the non-governmental organisation that works to provide medical relief in conflict zones and regions plagued by endemic diseases—Nomos unveiled the Tangente ‘50 ans Médecins Sans Frontières’. Its galvanised white silver-plated dial—housed in a 37.5mm steel case—becomes the perfect backdrop for its oxidised black hands. It bears the inscription ‘50 ans de Médecins Sans Frontières’ at six o’clock, with the 12 o’clock hour numeral in red. The timepiece comes attached with a dark grey, textile strap. This special edition will be limited to 2,021 pieces.
What makes this unveiling special is the decade-old collaboration between the brand and Doctors Without Borders. In the past 10 years, they have created 10,000 watches—across various models, bearing the red ‘12’ to support emergency aid. The watch comes equipped with Nomos’ in-house, handcrafted calibre, Alpha, which packs a power reserve of 43 hours.
The Club Campus Collection Gets New Editions
As a tribute to those who have survived the tribulations of home-schooling and have kept their A-game at academics, Nomos rolls out updated renditions of its Club collection. With two new colours—absolute grey and future orange—in the new 36 and 38mm sizes, young Nomos aficionados have considerable options to choose from. Just in case you want to add a personal touch to this timepiece, its stainless steel caseback allows enough room for personalised engravings. All four variants are powered by the Nomos’ manual-winding Alpha calibre.
The Metro And Tangente Neomatik 41 Updates
Nomos’ classy masterpiece, Metro has received a new update at Watches and Wonders 2021. Its patented date display—which circumscribes the dial—showing the entire month at a glance, is updated with date markers. Its galvanised, white, silver-plated dial, with minutes indicated instead of hour numerals, comes housed in a 40.5mm stainless steel case. At one glance you will be able to tell the current date framed within the neon orange date markers. Another update is its dark grey textile strap—developed in collaboration with Mark Braun, the Berlin-based carpenter and artist. The Metro is equipped with Nomos’ in-house calibre, the DUW 6101—the first Neomatik (or ‘new automatic’) calibre with a date mechanism—offering a power reserve of 42 hours.
And finally, the Tangente Neomatik has been reinterpreted with a new, soothing midnight blue dial. Besides this, the patented date display has received a neon green addition. As seen in the Metro, the apertures on the date ring help highlight the current date between the coloured accents.
As this 2021 digital edition of Watches and Wonder continues, we’ll keep bringing you the highlights. Watch this space for more updates.
