Corum, a brand that is mostly known for its Admiral’s Cup line of exaggeratedly sporty timekeepers has recently introduced a gorgeous limited-edition Corum Grand Precis (refs. 162.153.55/0001 BA47 & 162.153.59/0001 BA48) that pays homage to the vintage 1957 model of the same name. Looking unexpectedly subtle, the new dressy wristwatch nevertheless somehow managed to preserve the core of the brand’s DNA, mainly thanks to the way its laconic dial is decorated.
Trying to make the new model as authentic (and as true to the original design) as possible, the Swiss engineers have equipped the watch with a hand-wound Corum caliber CO162 hand-wound movement, which is based on a vintage NOS (new old stock) ebauche.
In its press release the brand doesn’t go into details regarding the base engine, but, judging by the look of it, the new movement is based on the unrightfully forgotten AS 1130 ebauche that was produced by the Swiss-based A. Schild S.A. from 1936 till 1967.
We have seen this great caliber powering a number of vintage watches produced by such brands as Rado and Glycine.
Judging by the press photos, it looks like the movement was not only taken apart and re-oiled here and there but has also undergone serious decoration with the screw heads polished, the bridges guilloched and the gears adored with something resembling the famous Glashuette decor.
The restored movement is placed inside a compact, nicely proportioned round case, which is going to be available both in 18-karat rose gold and white gold versions.
Only 38.5 millimeters in diameter and not particularly thick, the case looks like an ideal choice for a watch that is supposed to be worn with formal attire. Its elongated polished horns are of just the right size for the watch to look good even on a skinny wrist.
Like the overwhelming majority of other classic watches, the new Corum Grand Precis offers an incredibly legible dial layout with the silver sand-blasted face serving as a perfect background for the rose gold dauphine-shaped hands and the applied stick-shaped hour markers that are also crafted from rose gold.
As you can see on the photos, the hour and minute hands are also covered with thin patches of Superluminova, so night time legibility also won’t be an issue here.
There is still no info on pricing, but it will probably be high since the watchmaker plans to limit the model’s production to only 150 pieces: 100 pieces in rose gold and 50 more in white gold.
See also: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph (26550AU.OO.A002CA.01)
WWR Verdict
Originality 5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Overall Legibility: 4.5/5
Nighttime Legibility: 3.5/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Photos: Corum
Corum Grand Precis (refs. 162.153.55/0001 BA47 & 162.153.59/0001 BA48) specification
Price: $19,000 (MSRP)
Movement: Hand-wound, Corum caliber CO162, probably based on AS 1130 NOS ebauche, 17 jewels, 18,000 vph, 29.4 mm in diameter, 3.85 mm in height, Swiss Made
Movement decoration: Guilloched bridges, polished screw heads
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
Power reserve: 38 hours
Case: Rose gold or White gold
Shape: Round
Size: 38.50 mm
Dial: Silver, sand-blasted
Hour markers: Baton-shaped
Hands: Dauphine-shaped, luminous
Water resistance: 30 meters (3 ATM)
Strap: Black leather strap with gold pin buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Sapphire
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I am a founding father of this weblog since 2008.
Bought my first mechanical watch in 1986 and it took me ten more years to realize that I have a problem: at some point in time watches became my passion. Well, it could be worse.