When it comes to Corum, most folks think of the Golden Bridge models, or the Bubble lineup. And that makes sense, as they are both iconic designs for the brand that look quite different from anything else out there. That’s giving short shrift to the Admiral collection, though, with it’s yachting-flag inspired dials. Just recently, the brand released a new version of the Corum Admiral AC-One 45 Chronograph.
As far as watch designs go, the Corum Admiral AC-One 45 Chronograph is a fairly young one, first introduced in 2013. From that first version to this one there are a few changes – the Corum key logo up at the 12 o’clock position (instead of a ’60’) and a more angular case are the most noticeable differences. With redesigning the case, Corum also took the opportunity to put some titanium inserts between the case and bezel, with the idea of (someday) playing around with colors and materials there. I’m all for that (something we saw with Rune Refinery), just a little bummed we don’t actually see pops of color this time around.
Another change you’ll notice on the Corum Admiral AC-One 45 Chronograph – as compared to the main Admiral collection – is the lack of color on the dial. Yes, you’ve got black and white dials (with the chrono subdials contrasting) but the colorful pennants aren’t showing up. They’re still there, on the flange, it’s just that Corum went greyscale with them, so they blend more into the design. They say it’s sleek and modern – I say they should have called it the “Night Race” variant.
The new Corum Admiral AC-One 45 Chronograph is available now, and you’ve got some choice of materials. If you go for titanium, you’ll be putting $9,900 on the credit card balance, while going for the gold and titanium bumps things up to $18,000. So, yeah, a little outside of what we normally cover here, but it’s an interesting take on the Admiral line, and we like what those folks over at Corum are producing. corum.ch
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model: Corum Admiral AC-One 45 Chronograph
- Price: $9,900 – $18,000
- Who we think it might be for: You like your watches nautically-themed – just in a bit more subdued manner
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen? No – chronographs and boats are two things that are simply not in my wheelhouse
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be:Get going on playing with color for those inserts between the case and bezel
Tech Specs from Corum
- Movement
- Number: CO 132
- Winding system: automatic
- Functions: chronograph / hour & minute / second / date
- Power reserve: 42 hours
- Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 mph)
- Rubies: 39
- Dial
- Brass
- Hourly nautical pennants transferred on the flange
- Case
- Shape: Dodecagonal
- Dimension: 45mm
- Thickness: 14.3mm
- Case Material: Grade 5 Titanium; some references with 5N 18kt rose gold plus titanium
- Case back: screwed-in open-back cover in titanium and sapphire
- Crystal: sapphire with AR coating
- WR: 100m
- Hands: Dauphine-variant; skeleton
- Bracelet: 23/20mm; black rubber with triple folding clasp
