Heritage Corum Lab 01: Corum Does A Double Barrel Roll!

Corum has created a “Lab” collection where mechanics take precedence, in a disruptive, contemporary approach. The first two barrel-shaped series, each limited to 99 pieces, were launched on 13 November in Beijing.

Different, unique, off the beaten track: Corum’s conception of watchmaking today has no equal. This 13 November, the brand launched a new limited series that embodies this manifesto: the Heritage Corum Lab 01. The idea: offer pieces with a racing, sculptural, technical, modern spirit and which will only be available as limited editions.

A store in the heart of Beijing

Corum unveiled the first two creations on the 13 November at the Macao Centre. This date also marks the opening of a dedicated Corum store, currently the only one in China.

This store in the heart of Beijing highlights the importance of the Chinese market for Corum, a territory where the most demanding collectors will discover, with Corum, creatively unparalleled Fine Watchmaking. This new address confirms Corum’s commercial strength and its successful redeployment in the world’s greatest capitals, opened with the assured presidency of Jérôme Biard since summer 2017.

Two limited series “Heritage Corum Lab 01” watches unveiled

The first two “Heritage Corum Lab 01” models feature a barrel-shaped case made entirely of black DLC. A rare occurrence in modern watchmaking: the calibre that drives these two Heritage Corum Lab 01 watches is a “shape movement”, that is to say a movement that has been made to measure for the case, in contrast to a round movement that is placed in a differently-shaped case, which, for technical ease, is how the immense majority of watches are made. Here, the calibre and the case are closely intertwined, one moulding to the contours of the other.

Corum has opted for an openworked dial which allows for the CO 410 skeleton calibre that fits snugly in the case to be admired. The dial, reduced to its simplest expression, comes in grey anthracite enhanced with either red or white, depending on the version. Enthusiasts will also note the micro-rotor, visible from the dial side, featuring a contemporary spiral finish to accentuate the “speed” effect when it begins to rotate.

“These are two models which embody our disruptive approach to watchmaking, as evidenced by the juxtaposition of ‘Heritage’ and ‘Lab’. In traditional Fine Watchmaking, the two concepts are never associated with one another. Heritage looks to the past, the lab to the future,” explains Jérôme Biard. “The underlying principle that we are establishing with the Heritage Corum Lab 01 is precisely to create a dialogue between these two. What would René Bannwart or Severin Wunderman have made of Corum heritage today? Progressives, even avant- gardists, certainly wouldn’t simply have just reissued pieces. The Heritage Corum Lab 01 is our response to this vision which drives us, today more than ever.”