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Now back in Swiss hands, Corum looks to regain their momentum with a new, refreshed version of their beloved Admiral collection!

The watch world is, relatively speaking, incredibly vast. Whether you’re a budding enthusiast or a seasoned horologist, there’s always something around the corner that’s bound to surprise you. Watches you might not have known about, from brands very few have heard of. You may even question the quality or heritage of such releases from these unknown quantities. In the curious case of Corum, however, you don’t have to do either.

Founded in 1955 by René Bannwart and his uncle Gaston Ries, Corum quickly became known for its unconventional approach to watchmaking. One of its iconic models, a watch made from a US$20 Double Eagle coin, became favoured by watch enthusiasts and, to no surprise, the Presidents of the United States of America. However, its flagship collection was, and still remains, the Admiral’s Cup, a tribute to the international yacht race of the same name.

As time went on, the brand was relegated to the far reaches of independent watchmaking. It was eventually absorbed by Citychamp Watch & Jewellery Group Limited in 2013, marking the first time a luxury Swiss watch brand was purchased by a Chinese company. Just last year, however, Citychamp exited Corum, allowing now-CEO Haso Mehmedovic and a group of Swiss investors to bring the brand back into Swiss hands. And the results speak for themselves, with the new Corum relaunching the Admiral collection at this year’s Watches & Wonders.

A Seamless Re-Integration

The refreshed Admiral collection represents a complete departure from previous references, replacing the older line in its entirety. Two case diameters are offered, 39mm and 36mm, each paired with a slim 8.9mm thickness. Normally, I’d be somewhat surprised and annoyed that both sizes share the same thickness, but at well under 10mm it hardly distorts the proportions of either watch.

Across the 11 new models, case materials range from stainless steel to two-tone steel and 18k rose gold, full gold, and a 39mm titanium reference with an openworked dial. Depending on the model, the wearing experience ranges from elegant to sports-casual. Regardless, a 50m water resistance across all models allows for easy day-to-day wear.

Most of the new Corum Admirals come with an integrated bracelet matching their respective case materials. Divided into five segments, three brushed and two polished, the bracelet tapers elegantly to a butterfly clasp.

What’s interesting is how the bracelet integrates into the case. Only so much can be told from photos, but it appears to attach beneath the lug hood and male end link. From the underside, two chevron-shaped buttons can be seen, allowing for interchangeable straps without tools. So far, though, only two models are offered on rubber straps, both in full 18k rose gold and complete with a deployant clasp and buckle.

New Sensations

The new Admiral design, while still yachting-inspired, has been considerably refined and remastered. For that, Corum turned to Emmanuel Gueit, a designer whose successes include the GPHG-winning Dennison microbrand and the ever-popular Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

The dodecagonal bezel remains; as opposed to previous iterations, the edges have been scalloped for a smoother, more organic appearance. A polished bevel runs between the circular bezel and the outer edges, enhancing light play and drawing the eye towards the dial.

Speaking of the dial, the Corum Admiral is offered in a wide range of configurations. The classic version, presented in both sizes, is a fumé blue-to-black with a wave-like finish and coloured nautical flag indexes. A staple of the Admiral’s design, these coloured indexes remain exclusive to these two models, while the rest are rendered in monochrome grey or gold tones.

Beyond the blue, several other dials are available. In the 39mm line, there’s the openworked dial, a sunray-brushed green-grey, a meteorite dial, and fumé grey and gold options for the two-tone and full gold models. In the 36mm line, ice blue mother-of-pearl is offered in steel, alongside a sunray-brushed burgundy, a white grained dial for the two-tone model, and white mother-of-pearl for the full gold. In both mother-of-pearl variants and the white grained dial, the bezel is set with 46 diamonds totalling 1.4ct.

The Next Chapter

While the design represents a major departure from Admirals of old, it’s the transparent caseback that underscores Corum’s statement of intent. No longer content with using out-of-house calibres, the brand debuts the new Cal. CO231 movement. Beating at the luxury standard 4Hz (28,800VpH) with a 72-hour power reserve, it was developed in collaboration with Concepto Watch Factory.

If that name sounds familiar, they also contributed to the development of Ressence’s in-house movement in the Type 11. Corum, then, remains in capable Swiss hands. While I often lament the use of a 4:30 date complication, it does add practicality without compromising the nautical indexes. If that bothers you, the titanium version may be more appealing. Its no-date movement, the Cal. CO232, is mechanically identical to the CO231 but stripped back to showcase the inner workings through the openworked dial.

Initial Thoughts

Most times I’ve shared my shortlist of favourite watches, I’ve had to stop myself before saying “Corum Golden Bridge”. Not out of fear of judgement, but because even many enthusiasts know very little about the brand. Admittedly, Corum has faced challenges int he struggle for relevancy for quite some time. But with its return to Swiss hands, and the remastering of the Admiral line, that period of uncertainty may finally be coming to an end.

Presenting the collection at Watches & Wonders 2026 was an ambitious move, given the level of attention surrounding the event, but it allowed watch lovers around the world to get up close and personal with the beginning of Corum’s new chapter. There’s still a long road ahead, but these new Admiral models feel like a confident start. By combining heritage aesthetics with a new in-house movement and refreshed design principles, Corum has delivered a compelling and undeniably modern horological package, pointing towards a promising future.

References: Corum Admiral 39

Steel, Blue / Petroleum Green / Meteorite: A39.231.AB0.0G / A39.231.AQ0.0G / A39.231.AG0.0G

Titanium / Two-Tone / Full Gold: A39.232.TZ0.1G / A39.231.FG0.2F / A39.231.OO0.4S

Specifications:

International Retail Prices:

Steel, Blue / Petroleum Green: CHF 10,900

Steel, Meteorite / Titanium / Two-Tone / Full Gold: CHF 13,900 / CHF 19,500 / CHF 23,000 / CHF 33,000

References: Corum Admiral 36

Steel, Blue / Burgundy / Ice Blue Diamonds: CHF A36.231.AB0.0G / A36.231.AE0.0G / A36.231.EB0.0G

Two-Tone / Full Gold: A36.231.GG0.2F / A36.231.QW0.4W

Specifications:

International Retail Prices:

Steel, Blue / Burgundy: CHF 10,900

Ice Blue Diamonds: CHF 13,900

Two-Tone / Full Gold: CHF 13,900 / CHF 19,500

Availability (All): Available via Corum retailers. See Corum.ch for more information.

For more Watches & Wonders 2026, check out our full coverage here!