The 2011 Corum Admiral’s Cup Seafender 46 Chrono Dive (ref. 753.451.04-0371 AN22) offers a COSC-certified chronometer movement in a signature dodecagonal rugged case good for depths down to 300 meters. Although using such an expensive “tool” for routine diving probably wouldn’t be a good idea, it still looks like a great accessory for a person interested in something deliberately ‘masculine.’
The case in question is made of grade 5 titanium, which is known for the combination of lightness, strength, and ability to resist scratches (of course, only to a certain degree.) The featherweight metal is commonly used in military aircraft, internal combustion engines, turbines and other areas where good strength to weight ratio is of utmost importance.
As usual for their Admiral’s Cup line, the watch comes in a defiantly oversized case 46 millimeters in diameter and 16 millimeters thick and features the inevitable a 12-sided (aka dodecagonal) unidirectional rotating bezel, a pair of huge crown protectors that are fashioned together with the rest of the body from the same block of titanium and a pair of massive lugs. The horns, somewhat disappointingly, are not integrated, but welded (or attached in some other way) to the case when the watch is assembled. Don’t get me wrong: I don’t think that the timekeeper’s structural strength was compromised in any significant way, but, from where I sit, it would probably look even cooler if the lugs were an organic whole with the rest of the case.
Like the rest of Corum’s “divers,” the Chrono Dive is equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel with a diving scale that is engraved and blacked out for a high-contrast look at broad daylight and has a single luminescent mark at 12 o’clock for better legibility at night. Even if you don’t plan to use the Seafender 46 as a diving companion, having this rudimentary timer would is still great, even if the only use for it would be measuring time of a meditation session during a sleepless night.
The matt black dial has also received its fair share of Superluminova.
As you can see, the lume has been applied to the hour and minute hands, as well as for the subsidiary seconds hand at 9 o’clock and the minute and hour chronograph hands that are located at 9 and 3 o’clock respectively.
The chevrons and the traditional “60” mark at 12 o’clock are also applied with the luminescent substance.
As to the movement, the Seafender 46 is equipped with the CO753 COSC-certified chronometer chronograph movement that Corum often uses for its chronographs. Based on the well-known ETA Valjoux 7753, it is a solid and reliable engine that will keep on working for decades if serviced properly and taken care of in general.
The new timekeeper was presented earlier this week at Baselworld 2011 show and will possibly soon hit the stores.
See also: Corum Admiral’s Cup Challenge 44 Black chronograph
WWR Verdict
Originality 5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Overall Legibility: 4/5
Nighttime Legibility: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Photos: Corum
Corum Admiral’s Cup Seafender 46 Chrono Dive (ref. 753.451.04-0371 AN22) specification
Price: $10,500 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Caliber CO753 (based on standard ETA Valjoux 7753 blank movement,) Swiss Made
Jewels: 27
Cadence of Balance: 28,800 vph
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
Power reserve: 48 hours
Case: Titanium, satin-finished
Case shape: 12-sided
Bezel shape: Dodecagonal
Size: 46.00 mm
Case height: 16.00 mm
Dial: Matt black
Numerals: A luminous “60” at 12’clock
Hour markers: Traditional Corum Pendants, monochrome, witch luminous “chevrons” at the base
Hands: Steel, luminous
Water resistance: 300 meters
Strap: Black vulcanized rubber with titanium buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Solid, screw-down, engraved