Corum – Heritage Bubble 2015
Corum has introduced the Bubble watch for the first time 15 years ago. Its design was so intriguing and bold that it became a ‘must-have’ timepiece of the new Millennium. Now, the 2015 is the year of the Bubble return. Its design is really distinctive and in many cases unique.
Its name ‘Bubble’ refers to the massive and tall sapphire crystal disfiguring a dial. Such creation in those days was unparalleled.
“At the turn of the century watchmaking was a universe away from what it is today. Big watches were scarce, unconventionally shaped watches almost unheard of. The tectonic shift began as the 21 st century dawned, with Corum riding on the top of the wave that would soon sweep watchmaking. At Baselworld 2000 the Bubble was unveiled, an unparalleled 44 mm in diameter with a towering sapphire crystal so t all it distorted the dial. With a size and shape totally unprecedented in watchmaking, the Bubble was an instant hit“.
Now, the Bubble has been revived and despite it is just 15 years old, Bubble deserves to belong to the Corum’s Heritage collection. This watch keeps all the design features of the original, but it is not just a replica of the precursor Bubble. Starting with the rubber-ringed, spheric crown and the case with smooth, pure and harmonious lines, just like the original one.
The new 2015 Bubble has been enlarged from 44mm to 47mm of a case diameter. It still keeps the great balance of the proportions, when we compare case diameter with the thickness. It is 18,8mm high due to the massive and tall sapphire crystal. When I look at this watch from one side, I can perceive a part of the eye contruction with the cornea at the top. The 8mm high sapphire crystal is one of the biggest of any available watch. I can only guess how challenging task is to create such sapphire glass, especially when the sapphire is extremely hard to be cut and finally perfectly shaped.
“The task starts with cutting a block of crystal, then grinding it into a bubble-like shape, and finally polishing the crystal to flawless clarity with absolutely no optical imperfections.”
That tall sapphire crystal acts like a lens – disfiguring and magnifying a dial, which is designed in a clever way. It presents optical art motif in form of squares in gradated sizes, which grow larger towards the center of a dial. It gives impression of the sharply domed dial, while it is perfectly flat.
Let’s proceed to the heart of the Bubble watch rising to life all complications. It is powered by Calibre CO 082 automatic movement with a power reserve of 42 hours. CO 082 movement brings to life hour, minute, second indication. Besides these functions, we can see a date display in the aperture at 6 o’clock.
The case is made of stainless steel with black PVD coating. It integrates really well with charcoal-coloured hands and indexes. This watch goes with leather and rubber strap. It is equipped with the water resistance of 100 meters. The back of the watch is secured with the screwed in stainless steel cover with glare proof sapphire crystal.
The specifications :
Case:
– Diameter / Thickness : 47mm / 18,8mm
– Material : stainless steel with black PVD coating
– Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
– Water resistance : 100 meters
Movement:
– Calibre : CO 082
– Functions : hour, minute, second and date display (6 o’clock)
– Jewels : 21
– Frequency : 28,800 vph (4Hz)
– Power reserve : 42 hours
For more detailed information visit : www.corum.ch