Conceived expressly for Corum almost four decades ago by independent watchmaker and AHCI co-founder Vincent Calabrese, the Golden Bridge is a deft blend of design and mechanics that eminently reflected the spirit of the time in which it was born, an era when ultra-flat watches were all the rage. The ultra-narrow movement sits suspended in space, surrounded by transparent crystal panes that make the movement the star of the watch.

Over the past decade, Corum iterated the Golden Bridge in a range of materials, shapes and sizes that reflect today’s taste. More importantly, the Golden Bridge movement was reengineered in 2011 by complications specialist Laurent Besse (who was also responsible for the movement in the MB&F HM4 and is now chief watchmaker at movement maker Soprod), making it more robust and stable, leaving behind the fragile nature of the original movement.

In 2016 Corum unveiled the round Golden Bridge, departing from the traditional rectangular or tonneau case for the first time. Now the Golden Bridge Round makes it debut in titanium case coated in black diamond-like carbon (DLC). Decorative trusses on either side of the Golden Bridge movement are similarly coated in black DLC, and meant to evoke the structure of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

The cal. CO 113 is equipped with a variable inertia balance and a barrel with a slipping spring to prevent overwinding, which means the winding mechanism disengages once the mainspring is fully wound. It has a 40-hour power reserve.

Notably, the movement bridges and base plate are, appropriately enough, 18k solid gold, and hand-engraved with a floral motif. The movement is available in either white or pink gold, with the hands, flange and crown in a matching colour of gold.

The Golden Bridge Titane DLC measures the same 43mm in diameter and 8.3mm thick as the 18k gold model, but is markedly more lightweight thanks to the case alloy. The case is rated to 30m.

And to match the watch’s sporty-ish style, it is fitted to a black rubber strap with black-coated titanium folding clasp.

Price and Availability

The Corum Golden Bridge Titane DLC in white gold is priced at SFr23,500 or S$39,700, while the rose gold version is a limited edition of 68 pieces, priced at SFr23,800 or S$40,210.