Corum Admiral's Cup Challenge 44 Regatta Review

Kolosstt provides an in-depth owner's review of the Corum Admiral's Cup Challenge 44 Regatta 2007 Limited Edition, a model he believes deserves more attention within the watch community. His detailed impressions offer a valuable perspective on a distinctive timepiece from a brand often overlooked in forum discussions.

That’s why I would like to write down my impressions of what was pictured in this forum before, but is maybe deserving some words.

Dear PuristS,

in general, Corum seems to be one of the brands that receives less attention in this community. I am far from being a Corum expert, but this reference made me pay attention (to the characteristics of a model that is a symbol of the brand) a deserved ‘little bit more’.

Please let me share my thoughts in form of an owner's review.

The model in question is the:

Corum Admiral’s Cup Challenge 44 Regatta 2007 – Limited edition

After little research, I can tell that the Admiral’s Cup (AC) was introduced in 1960. Next to the Bubble and the Bridge models, this is what Corum seems to be about. There were many re-interpretations of the AC, but for me it used to be this distinctive and bold casing and some ‘funny symbols’ at the hour markers. Like it is classic car racing for Chopard’s Mille Miglia, it is obviously sailing for the AC. Their theme that was once underlined by a unique movement indicating the tides.

Let’s remember that Corum is rather a medium sized watchmaker with roundabout 10’000 production units a year and about 100 staff in 2014. The brand was established in 1955 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, one of the epicentres of Swiss fine watchmaking. The relatively young age also shows, that Corum carries the AC series in their collection for 9/10th of their existence. Something that may have seemed endangered for some people, when the Swiss family business was bought by China Haidian in 2013, which integrated it into a group of Chinese watch brands and another Swiss brand - Eterna.

Out of the 600 pieces made, the presented edition originates from 2007, which means before this acquisition. Yet, for me the latest Corum models have not changed their appeal at all, even though I am far too young to say what it was over the last 55 years.

PuristS were already presented the similar 50year anniversary edition. If you want to go back in time, here is AnthonyTsai’s thread presenting the steel versions:

www.watchprosite.com

Today, I want to add some further shots and continue a little bit describing some details beyond the pictures from Signaturetime, :

www.watchprosite.com

Casing – magic 12

Do you remember that the AC started in a square casing first? – Nowadays, ask somebody about Corum’s AC, and the answer will most likely be the twelve-sided casing, won’t it?

Actually, if closely scanned, one can find twelve edges on that watch more than once:

  - At the hour markers, each combination of pennant with arrow, counts twelve edges.

  - All three hands of each sub-dial have four edges, adding up to twelve edges.

  - Minute and hour hand together have twelve edges.

  - Of course, the sapphire crystal has twelve edges.

  - And imagine that, since it doesn’t stop there; the casing has twelve edges, too.

Is it because the year has twelve months or because an ordinary watch can show twelve hours?

I don’t know, though I especially like how obvious elements like casing and sapphire make the model a unique identification trademark.

This particular reference 986.694.55 / 0371 CG12 comes in an eye-catching black ’n’ gold colour combination. It wears sporty while hiding under a cuff is still possible. The casing is very comfortably sized with a diameter of 44mm and a height of 15mm, even though the precious metal makes you feel its value. Made of 18karat rose gold, the bezel and the chamfering around are polished. So, it’s a mirror looking onto the watch, which changes by turning the watch, since the casing sides have linear graining. From lugs to lugs, the casing is packed into black rubber, almost like a continuation of the same coloured strap. Pushers and crown on both sides of the casing are other elements adding contrast to the colour combination.

As known from Corum, the chronograph pushers with their sharp square forms could be considered an extension of the crown guard. Thanks to a machined notches, the screw-down crown is offering a lot of grip. It hints at some love to detail that is also experienced by the engraved Corum key emblem on the cover. Apparently the upwards directed key was selected as brand logo by the founders to symbolize the power to unlock certain mysteries. I counted five logos on this watch. However, I would not interpret it as sign that many keys are needed to unlock its mystery, but there is just so much to discover.

Dial – Fame meets readability

First up, Clous the Paris – known from e.g. Audemars Piguet, it is in this case rather fine and gives structure to the dial. As a result, you encounter a really appreciated visual appeal as light creates a very playful dial with many spotlights and shadows.

Since I am not a trained sailor, these pennants on the outer ring did not mean anything to me for a long time. Ok, I haven’t stopped learning, and yes, they are just another way of indicating numbers in the style of the nautical world. The principle is based on different shapes and usage of normed colours, most likely for easier recognition. Since todays AC models still have the shapes but hardly the colours anymore, one may say that this is still one of the more authentic models.

At the hour markers, applied arrows in an obtuse angle can be found. However at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, they were saved to make space for the sub-dials. Arrows and a crowning ‘60’ at the 12 o’clock position are framed in thin golden lines.

In this respect, surrounded by gold-made rings, all sub-dials appear typical Corum-style:

  - Hours; classical with 3, 6, 9, 12 numerals marking the quarters.

  - Minutes; typical -which I only know from this brand- with numerals 15 and 30 marking the halves and four more markers the eighths.

  - Small second; similarity with a compass relating the model’s roots.

Running across all that - the hands.

All are bold, golden and a relatively maximized area is filled with white luminescent. All but the chronograph’s second hand, which is also golden though thin and continuously getting thinner towards the scale.

Hang on, isn’t this a rattrapante, which means that there is one more hand? - True!

When the chronograph is started, it is always perfectly covered by the seconds hand and only reveals it red paint once the pusher at 8.30h demands to do so.

Movement – Industrialized charm for two

Luckily, this is one of the watches with sapphire at the case back that allows watch lovers to explore more. Our eyes will first see a Corum signed rotor. Looking closer, all visible screws are blued, and together with the jewels give a friendly touch of colour spots. Moreover, different reflexions of alternating polish and matt finishes play in an obviously industrialized movement, in which the regulator caught my attention.

The COSC certified calibre is a CO-986 that was developed for Corum by the movement design company La Joux-Perret. Base calibre 8601, 4Hz and some 40h power reserve. – Nothing really too exciting.

A split-second complication? – That is exciting!

Compared to chronographs, these double chronographs remain rather rare. Rare although so useful as they measure split times without losing the continuing chronograph measurement. Absolutely appreciated and in my eyes the watchmaking “highlight” of this particular model.  

Bracelet – Solidity finds smoothness

Fabulous pin buckle with another two brand signatures. One of both is the key logo again, but this time it seems laser-engraved. The prominent buckle exudes strength, while one part of it is already an integrated lug.

The second lug is positioned on the rubber strap that feels pleasantly smooth. On the inside, you find two more inscriptions – one for the brand and one for the collection – which are environed by a pattern that shall apparently illustrate some sea waves.

Some thoughts as constructive criticism:

1- The finish of the movement plates can be perceived very plane with the surfaces and edges missing some structure from a more manual finish.

2- Would have loved to see the chronograph second hand with yet another key logo on its end like it is seen with other newer Corum AC models.

3- Flyback function would have been an interesting completion of the chronograph.

Summarizing my impressions, it is overall a great watch. The colours and the bold design will result in a lot of attention received when you bring it out there. Even for people like me that are stranger to the sailing theme, this watch has some outstanding characters making it different than much else on the market. Besides using simple graphical elements like the pennants, this distinction is also achieved by more complex elements like the structured dial and the split-seconds.

For me, Corum is a brand that is less of mainstream and I just wish them to continue playing this role in the watchmakers’ world.

So how about you?

What do you think of the gold in black AC?

Any experiences with the model and/or the brand?

Is Corum something that will still be there in another 50years and what are the challenges?

Good night or good morning, wherever you are, I send you best regards

Kolosstt