History
I. THE HISTORY OF THE BRAND
The adventure began with René Bannwart. With his strong entrepreneurial spirit and watchmaking experience acquired from the most prestigious watch manufacturers, he founded his own brand and created CORUM in 1955 with his uncle Gaston Ries.
René Bannwart. DR
Particularly fascinated by the word “quorum” which means the minimum number of persons present and necessary to hold discussions and make valid decisions, however René Bannwart simplified the spelling to CORUM.
Right from the time of its creation in 1955 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, CORUM displayed a determination to position itself at the forefront of the Swiss watch industry.
The emblem, a key pointing skywards, is a symbol of the mystery to be fathomed, the enigma to be resolved, of new territories to be explored, and of innovation. It also alludes to the inventiveness, tenacity and bold spirit required in order to attain the total mastery of time.
In 1956 the first CORUM watches appeared on the market and the brand launched a veritable cascade of new ideas with great success. It was even recognized by its peers as one of the most creative in the industry.
In 1966 Jean-René Bannwart, the son of the founding father, joined the watchmaking company. He created the models which became Corum’s trademark, in particular the Admiral’s Cup model.
CORUM year by year
In 1957, launch of the Golden Tube model, a tube of gold in which the movement is inserted. This creation is the basis for the famous Golden Bridge model (1980), the first baguette movement.
In 1957, launch of the Golden Tube model, a tube of gold in which the movement is inserted. This creation is the basis for the famous Golden Bridge model (1980), the first baguette movement.
In 1958, the Chinese Hat watch sparked public curiosity with its bezel evoking the famous pyramid-shaped head covering worn by the people of China.
In 1960, the first interpretation of the Admiral’s Cup model with a square case was developed. This was one of the first ever water-resistant square watch.
In 1964, the Coin Watch without a back cover was created with an ultra-flat movement that is set in an authentic gold coin, a $20 Double Eagle Coin. A model worn by numerous U.S. Presidents and prominent personalities alike.
In 1965 came the first appearance of large-sized watches with the Buckingham model, which asserted itself through its oversized proportions that were extremely innovative at the time.
In 1966, the Romvlvs watch was unveiled, featuring the hour numerals engraved not on the dial, but on the bezel.
In 1970, CORUM introduced the Feather watch composed of genuine bird feathers. This artistic and technical feat called for great expertise.
In 1976, the Rolls-Royce watch once again underscored the avant-garde nature of the brand, since it represented the first ever partnership of this kind with a prestigious automobile manufacturer.
In 1980, the Golden Bridge with its delicately hand-engraved baguette movement revealed behind the perfectly transparent sapphire crystal case embodied the pinnacle of technical and horological mastery.
In 1983, the famous Admiral’s Cup design was reinterpreted in a version with nautical pennants corresponding to the international maritime code and serving as hour-markers on a twelve-sided bezel.
In 1986 the Meteorite model featured a dial cut from an authentic meteorite. 
In 1991, the Admiral’s Cup adventure continued with the victory of the CORUM team in the legendary sailing race after which the line is named.
In 1993, the Admiral’s Cup Tides watch was launched. Fitted with an exclusive CORUM movement CO277, it indicates vital information such as the lunar cycle and the time of the tides, as well as the strength of the tide, an estimation of water levels and the strength of the currents.
In 1997, CORUM filed a patent for a new invention showcased in the Tabogan watch, equipped with an ingenious mechanism allowing the watch case to be positioned upright, and thus transforming the wristwatch into a table clock.
In 2000 the Bubble watch was introduced. Fitted with an 11mm thick sapphire crystal, it created a magnifying-glass effect which became the model’s signature feature.
With the Trapèze watch in 2001, Corum created a new style evoking subtle grace. Its name evocative of its shape and large size gave a truly timeless design.
In 2005, the Classical Vanitas marked the world premiere of marquetry-work as applied to watch dials. The stone and marble parts were meticulously cut to fit together like a mosaic.
In 2005, in celebration of Corum's 50th Anniversary, the Golden Bridge was reinterpreted in a contemporary vein, imbuing the original 1980s model with the spirit of the 21st century.
2006 heralded the renewal of the Admiral’s Cup model. While offering a more contemporary, boldly designed collection, CORUM nonetheless maintained its essential aesthetic characteristics: the famous twelve-sided case and the nautical pennants.
In 2007, the legendary Romvlvs was reborn with an elegant and contemporary spirit, interpreting the classical codes of the brand. Its new design perpetuates the distinctive nature of its Roman numerals engraved on the bezel and is distinguished both by its double-curving case creating an elliptical effect on the bezel, and by its domed sapphire crystal. The wave-profile of the bezel is engraved around the entire circumference with a perfectly polished longitudinal stripe.
In 2008, thanks to a repositioning driven by a determination to achieve consistency, along with the launch of several emblematic models, all confirming its remarkable expertise in the field of Haute Horlogerie – most notably the Admiral’s Cup Tourbillon 48 and the Romvlvs Perpetual Calendar – CORUM experienced a remarkable year.
L2009 once again revealed CORUM’s apparently inexhaustible creativity. CORUM wrote a major new chapter in its history by presenting its second in-house movement. Designed, developed and assembled within the brand’s workshops, the Ti-Bridge is the first model to house the new CO 007 caliber.
In 2010, CORUM celebrates its 55th anniversary, a half century of the Admiral’s Cup and 30 years of the Golden Bridge. Legitimacy and pioneering spirit are rewarded.
In 2011, CORUM launches its exceptional baguette movement in an automatic version – with linear winding. It heralds a new era in the legend of this unique movement.
CORUM – At the dawn of the 21st century
In 2000, René Bannwart was honored with the GAÏA distinction of the International Museum of Horology in the category of Craftsmanship & Design. A symbolic recognition awarded to him for his contribution to watchmaking history and culture, which also echoes the spirit of CORUM.
In January 2000, the arrival of a new owner and President – Severin Wunderman, an internationally renowned icon of the watchmaking industry – gave CORUM a whole new boost. Displaying his characteristic creativity and ingenuity, he revitalized the company.
At Severin Wunderman’s request, Antonio Calce joined CORUM in 2005. Jointly they established a strategy to conquer new horizons, while remaining faithful to the pioneering and independent spirit on which the brand has built its success.
Antonio Calce. © Corum
In 2007 Antonio Calce was promoted to serve as CEO. As an experienced strategist he was entrusted with the mission of repositioning the brand in the high end horology segment.
On June 25th 2008, Severin Wunderman passed away at the age of 69. A man of arts and culture with a strong sense of philanthropy, he left his mark on the watchmaking industry with his daring creations. His memory is still honored by his family and his mission continues at CORUM.
On August 18th 2008, CORUM appointed Serge Weinberg – a personal friend and legal advisor to Severin Wunderman – as Chairman of the Board. Founder of the Weinberg Capital Partners investment company, he brought to the brand experience in the field of luxury.
In October 2009, CORUM took over its distribution agent CORUM USA LLC, and Antonio Calce was appointed as President of the new American subsidiary. Two years later, he re-opened the Miami subsidiary with a whole new team. The distribution strategy implemented by Antonio Calce shows the brand’s determination towards a more selective and quality-driven retail network, supported by strong subsidiaries and agents structures.
In January 2010, at the dawn of CORUM’s jubilee year, its founding father René Bannwart passed away in his 95th year. René Bannwart was known for his humanistic and aesthetic values. His strong creativity has been illustrated for CORUM by many outstanding creations that have strongly consolidated the brand DNA.
In September 2011, brand CEO Antonio Calce acquired a personal shareholding in the company, which he continues to head.. A product-oriented and unifying figure, Antonio Calce is pursuing the long-term implementation of the product strategy and integration of the watchmaking professions initiated in 2005. His entrepreneurial vision has led him to focus on two priorities, complementary to the product development; the distribution and the communication strategy. The subsidiaries and agents have been reinforced with new organizational structures and management, while the communication plans have been professionalized.