ReviewDiamond Decadence: The Corum Golden Bridge Round 39mm

Celebrating the real ‘hero’ in a timepiece, Corum resolutely puts the spotlight at the heart of the diamond watches—the beating watch movement—with its emblematic Golden Bridge series to power its timepieces. Launched in 1980, the manufacture broke all watchmaking records by bringing to life the now legendary linear-winding baguette movement. Avant-garde technology and aesthetic prowess led to the creation of a watch movement placed at the centre of a transparent sapphire crystal case, as opposed to hidden behind the dial.

The fascinating invention was the brainchild of Vincent Calabrese who wanted to woo watch connoisseurs by giving them a glimpse into the most noteworthy technological marvel—the manual-winding watch movement. The result was a movement that had as few direct connections with the case as possible, albeit the namesake bridge, establishing itself as the purest expression of mechanical watchmaking.

A Tour De Force

Ever since, the Golden Bridge has spawned numerous different versions, including ladies’ models, an automatic in-line baguette movement that used a platinum oscillating weight, titanium and ceramic versions. In 2016, Corum pushed the envelope further by breaking away from the original Art Deco and tonneau or rectangular codes and launched the very first Golden Bridge baguette movement in an elegant, round case.

Cut to 2018, Corum continues its horological mastery by bringing together jewellery, watchmaking and architecture in the latest Golden Bridge Round 39. A bridge between haute joaillerie and contemporary watchmaking, this timepiece is studded with high jewellery lacework gem-setting that vividly brings to life the stunning geometrical effects of how a composition of a round dial and a horizontal movement can create visual delight. With a scintillating array of diamonds set in the 39mm case, the unique architecture features a juxtaposition of shapes with its horizontal baguette movement and a half-moon on each side of the case that illuminates from within, with its intricate genuine gold lacework that extends across the movement.

All That Glitters

Taking centre stage is the lacework microstructure that has been stretched out alongside the movement and the marquise-cut stones that light up the dial, giving the impression that rays of light are emanating from the movement and radiating out toward the case. The openwork dial allows one to gaze at the beauty of each and every stone that sparkles differently, depending on the angle, nature and intensity of the light that is cast on it.

Available in white gold and pink gold, the entirely paved dial, bezel and lugs feature 76 Wesselton diamonds on the case, 12 marquise-cut diamonds and 24 round-cut diamonds on the microstructure, as well as 46 round-cut diamonds on the bridges of the microstructure and 60 diamonds on the flange, for a total of 6.41 carats. For a dash of added elegance, the mainplate and bridges in gold are engraved with the Corum logo, surrounded by scrolling arabesque motifs. This watchmaking piece of art is powered by a mechanical hand-wound Calibre CO113 and can last for up to 40 hours.

Take your pick from the red or blue leather straps of the show-stopping jewelled timepiece that adds sparkle with its sumptuous diamonds, illuminating the inner beauty of a craft that continues to add stripped-back, linear dimension to watches.