My first column has just been published on Augustman.com, the online portal of the magazine August Man. I opine on the important factors to consider when buying a watch and not be distracted: “One must recognise and appreciate that key element. One cannot look for a quality that is not there or that is totally incongruous with that particular watch or class of watches. To use an automotive analogy, one cannot criticise a Rolls-Royce for having too much wood veneer. Neither can one call a Ferrari a bad car for being unable to seat a family of seven comfortably.”  – SJX

Corum Golden Bridge Automatic for Only Watch 2011

Corum’s Golden Bridge, the brand’s iconic watch originally developed by Vincent Calabrese, was once legendary for its poor reliability. But it has undergone a tremendous makeover in recent years. Reengineered by Laurent Besse of the now defunct Les Artisan Horlogers, who amongst other things helped develop the MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt, the Golden Bridge became the Ti Bridge and then this year it was offered in automatic form. Wound by a linear weight, like the TAG Heuer Monaco V4, a unique version of the Golden Bridge Automatic is being contributed to Only Watch 2011 by Corum.

This unique piece is housed in a Titalyt coated titanium case with red accents on the strap. Only aesthetic changes versus the regular model but attractive nevertheless. I examined and photographed the regular version of the Golden Bridge Automatic some weeks ago and will be posting my photos of it soon. – SJX