Corum Rolls Royce - 18K White Gold

Corum was founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, in 1955 by watchmakers Gaston Ries and his nephew René Bannwart, who sought to push the limits of traditional Swiss watchmaking through bold design and technical ingenuity. From the very beginning, Corum distinguished itself by creating timepieces that were equal parts avant-garde and horologically refined—often blending the worlds of fine art, culture, and mechanical innovation.

The name “Corum” derives from the Latin word quorum, meaning “the minimum number of people needed to make a decision”—a nod to the brand’s desire to challenge norms and innovate decisively.

Corum rose to fame quickly with the release of the “Chinese Hat” watch in 1958, followed by the Admiral’s Cup in 1960—a nautical-inspired watch that became one of its signature lines. But it was Corum’s limited edition, concept-driven creations that truly captured attention on the global stage.

Among these was the now-iconic Coin Watch, which incorporated genuine gold and silver coins as dials, and the Rolls-Royce “Spirit of Ecstasy” watch, launched in the 1970s and 1980s in partnership with the luxury carmaker. That model became one of the first examples of a watch made explicitly for automobile enthusiasts, with a design inspired by the front grille of the Rolls-Royce Phantom and a literal miniature Spirit of Ecstasy sculpture atop the dial.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Corum continued to develop distinctive watches, including the Golden Bridge—a timepiece with a fully visible baguette movement housed in a transparent case—and the Bubble, a contemporary, oversized design with a domed crystal that became a cult favorite in the early 2000s.

Corum changed ownership in 2000 and was acquired in 2013 by China Haidian Group (now Citychamp Watch & Jewellery Group), which also owns brands like Eterna. Despite changes in leadership, Corum has remained loyal to its original ethos: daring design, impeccable Swiss craftsmanship, and limited production runs that favor artistry and exclusivity over mass appeal.

Today, Corum watches—particularly their vintage and limited-edition models—are prized by collectors for their originality, quality, and ability to straddle the line between horological rarity and visual storytelling.