CORUM "ROMAN NUMERALS" WATCH CA. 1970

In La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Gaston Ries had already been running his watchmaking workshop since 1924 when he called on his nephew René Bannwart to found the Corum brand. From the outset, in 1955, Corum chose to place itself in the avant-garde, taking as its emblem a key raised to the sky, symbolizing a mystery to be unraveled, new territories to be explored, but also the ingenuity, perseverance and audacity necessary for the watchmaker to master time.

According to Corum founder René Bannwart, it goes without saying that a watch must also tell the time. The watches he produced from 1955 onwards had to be technically and aesthetically remarkable, with creative designs and innovative materials. Bannwart was uncompromising when it came to the quality of his movements, but the appearance of his watches was of paramount importance to him. The watches he presented at the Basel Fair in 1956 immediately caught the public's attention. 

When his dial supplier failed to deliver as scheduled for the 1958 Fair, Bannwart turned a problem into a solution, using simple gold discs without indexes, simply adorned with the typical Corum logo and key at "12 o'clock". Visitors were enthusiastic, and threw themselves into the first "blank dial" watch in history. Later, these "watches without hours" would serve as models for the "Romulus" presented in 1966.

The model that would become Corum's signature timepiece was designed in 1960. It was the first Admiral's Cup, with its square case. Corum has never ceased to present itself as a revolutionary brand, presenting in turn the "Coin watch" in 1964, designed with a 20-dollar gold coin nicknamed the "Double Eagle", a model worn by several personalities including American presidents; the Buckingham, with its oversized proportions, a year later; the Rolls Royce, resulting from a partnership with the car manufacturer; and, in 1986, the Météorite, whose dial is cut from a genuine space stone.

A revolutionary brand in its day, of which few vintage models are in circulation apart from their best-sellers.

Here we present a superb example typical of Corum watches.

An extra-flat model with a round case, sober and elegant.

Its pearl-gray "linen" dial is punctuated by thick Roman numeral hour markers and the famous key logo.

It is driven by a Swiss-made hand-wound mechanism with 21 jewels.

This example dates from the 60s/70s and remains incredibly modern. Unisex. Fine details and a rarity.

Manufacturer: Corum
Model: N/A
Reference: N/A
Year: Circa 1970
Materials: Steel
Dimensions: Diameter 30.5 mm Height 34.5 mm
Caliber: Mechanical Caliber, Corum
Strap: Leather 16 mm wide
Box/paper: No