It was during the famed Basel watch exhibition in the year 2000 that Corum first unveiled its now-legendary Bubble watch. With an oversized case and huge domed crystal, the Bubble was the brainchild of the equally-legendary Severin Wunderman, then owner of the brand. That first Bubble wowed the world and the timepiece quickly developed a cult-like following. Now, Corum is launching the new Bubble with the new Skull X-Ray watch, inspired by early designs: Corum Bubble Skull X-Ray.
Among the first Bubble watches to make their debut in 2000, was a watch with a stylized skull on the dial. Wunderman, who had just bought the brand, was also obsessed with life, death and the concept of Dia de Muertos, a celebration where friends and family gather to honour the dead in a festive manner. A self-made success who had been hidden in a school for the blind during the Nazi occupation of Poland, and then at the age of 10 immigrated to Los Angeles in the United States, Wunderman savoured the unusual and unconventional. His goal with the Bubble was to disrupt the watch world and make a new statement. Corum was the perfect brand for him to do that with, as it had been a leader in creating extraordinary collections ever since its founding in 1955.
When the 44mm Corum Bubble was released, Wunderman said he was inspired by an experimental diving watch from the 1960s that had an enormous, curved glass. He paired that domed look, which also had some distorting effects, with creatively themed dials, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Purposely designed to be different, to make a real individualistic statement, the Bubble fast became a new millennium icon, with a variety of intriguing renditions released over the years. They included playful, sometimes mischievous themes that ranged from the Corum Bubble Jolly Roger, to Bubble Lucifer, Bats, Nightflyer and more. Intermittently, throughout the past six years, Corum also entered into collaborations with various renowned artists for Bubble watches.
Now, to honour both the coming of age of this iconic timepiece, and the dynamic man behind it, Corum releases a limited-edition watch with the same signature elements that made the Bubble famous, but with a contemporary and creative touch.
The Bubble Skull X-Ray pays tribute to the line’s roots with a highly stylized yet realistic-looking skull taking centre stage on the dial. While the huge domed sapphire crystal slightly distorts the image, it is fully visible in the dark because it is totally luminescent: disruptive during the day and at night. In fact, when the lights go out, the skull glows green for an eerie yet provocative appeal. Bringing the luminescence full circle, Corum adds fluorescent green stitching to the synthetic alligator-like strap that is lined with rubber.
The watch is powered by an automatic movement (CO 082) that beats at 4Hz and offers 42 hours of power reserve. It is crafted in stainless steel with a black PVD treatment over it and boasts a sapphire case back for viewing of the movement. Both the domed front crystal and the back crystal are coated with an anti-reflective treatment. Water-resistant to 100 meters, the 47mmm case offers hours, minutes and seconds and is being created in a limited edition of just 666 pieces.
Crafted with the same attention to detail and top-notch watchmaking, the Bubble X-Ray perfectly embraces the original concept of the Bubble: daring, different, and designed for those who enjoy making their own distinctive statement. The Skull X-Ray is the first of several soon-to-come new Bubble watches.
Corum Bubble Skull X-Ray Technical Specifications
Ref. L082/04330 – 082.320.98/0601 SX01 – Limited Edition 1 of 666, CHF 4’000.-
Movement
- Calibre CO 082
- Winding system: Automatic
- Functions: Hour & Minute • Second
- Power reserve: 42 hours
- Frequency: 4 Hz, 28’800 vph
- Dimension: 11 1/2’’’
- Rubies: 25
Case
- Material: Stainless steel with black PVD treatment
- Dimensions: 47 mm
- Thickness: 18.50 mm
- Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Caseback: Screwed in open back cover in stainless steel with black PVD treatment with glare-proof sapphire crystal
- Water-resistance: 100 meters / 10 ATM
Dial
- Colours: Black
- Material: Brass + sapphire discs
- Distinctive features: Luminescent skull pattern and railroad chapter ring
- Hands: Leaf, rhodium-plated, skeleton; green varnish seconds’ hand
Bracelet
- Material: Synthetic, rubber lining
- Colours: Black with fluorescent green stitchings
- Interhorn/Buckle: 24/20 mm
- Buckle: Stainless steel with black PVD treatment pin buckle
About CORUM
Founded in 1955, Corum represents creative and daring watchmaking. Corum uses an approach free of dogmas that enables a reconceptualization of movement construction, its casing, and the artistic crafts that brighten the dial. Behind the many technical achievements (baguette movement) and aesthetic achievements (Coin Watch, Feather, Bubble), Corum continues the tradition of high-quality watchmaking that is ahead of its time.
Corum, established in La Chaux-de-Fonds, is opening itself up to the contemporary, street art, and classical art worlds, and in doing so attracting the attention of various trendsetters. At once disruptive yet respectful of its watchmaking heritage, Corum maintains its status of a niche brand aimed at demanding collectors of unconventional timepieces. Corum’s current pillars include four collections that embody its vision of 21st-century watchmaking: Admiral, Bubble, Golden Bridge and Heritage.