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ReviewMaster Of The Seas: Presenting The Updated And Refined Admiral Collection By Corum

This year, Corum have added a slew of brand-new iterations to their famous Admiral collection, which was first introduced during the 1960s. Thanks to a host of updates and improvements, the new timepieces perfectly complement the requirements of modern-day seafarers and urban individuals alike

The Watch Guide June 30, 2022

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First unveiled more than 60 years ago, the Admiral collection is an intrinsic part of Corum’s offerings. Taking inspiration from Admiral’s Cup, the international yachting regatta, the Admiral collection even outlived the sailing races that were cancelled in 2005. Eventually, even with the truncated name ‘Admiral’, this series has gone through countless transformations and updates—each one better than its predecessor. However, the most significant and lasting change can be traced back to the 1980s, when Corum presented the timepiece in the now standard dodecagonal case instead of the original square-shaped silhouette. Thanks to the positive response from the critics and aficionados, the new design became synonymous with the collection and enjoys a cult following even today.

Corum-Admiral-Collection — Building on the legacy of superior looks and groundbreaking performance, Corum have unveiled six new versions of the coveted Admiral 42 Automatic with a distinctive dial motif that looks quite elegant yet contemporary

Building on this legacy of superior looks and groundbreaking performance, the La Chaux-de-Fonds-based watchmakers have unveiled six new versions of the coveted Admiral 42 Automatic with a distinctive dial motif. Each of the six versions boasts a dial with the three-dimensional grenadier fendu (‘split pomegranate’) motif that was designed in-house at La Chaux-de-Fonds by the Corum team in 2019, and is unique and proprietary to the brand.

Thus far, this grenadier fendu dial motif has only been used on the 38mm and 45mm Admiral Automatic watches, so this marks a first for the Admiral 42 Automatic.

Essentially, the six new versions boast two dial colours—a rich Mediterranean sea blue and a striking midnight black. They are offered in three models: stainless steel case and bracelet; stainless steel case with colour-coordinated alligator leather strap; and stainless steel case with 18-karat rose gold bezel and crown, presented on colour-coordinated alligator leather strap with triple folding clasp.

A tour around the dial of each watch showcases an outer chapter flange with the famed nautical pennants transferred in outlined format and minute indexes, applied hour markers and white Super-LumiNova coated dauphine skeletonised hands, date at three o’clock via an aperture and subsidiary small seconds dial at six o’clock. The sapphire crystal of each watch is treated with an anti-reflective coating, as is the caseback that allows for viewing of the movement. Each watch is powered by the automatic CO 395 calibre that beats at 4 Hz and offers 42 hours of power reserve. Thanks to a screwed-in caseback, the Admiral 42 Automatic watches are water resistant to 100m.

Last year, Corum had introduced several brand-new iterations of the Admiral as well. Available in 42mm and 38mm, these models stay loyal to the nautical theme of the range but offer a host of upgrades and finishing—making them an ideal choice for modern-day navigators and sailors, as well as for those who are simply passionate about the sea.

Corum-Admiral-42mm-Automatic — Available in 42mm and 38mm, the Admiral models stay loyal to the nautical theme of the range but offer a host of upgrades and finishing. Seen here is the 42mm variant launched last year, which comes with a combination of steel and 18-karat gold

Slimmer Designs Along With Improved Water Resistance

With the addition of around 17 new models to the Admiral, there’s a lot to unpack here. Let’s first begin with the water resistance. The Admiral has always been an aquatic-themed collection, but the water resistance rating has left a lot to be desired, so far, disappointingly hovering around 30m to 50m only. Thankfully, this has changed now. Corum have bumped the rating of these new timepieces up to an impressive 100m, allowing wearers to not just take these watches out to sea, but also dive in with them, if they wish to.

Coming to the design updates, the watchmakers have tweaked the 42mm watches—both the time-and-date automatics as well as the chronograph variants—a little bit to make them look slimmer and sleeker. They now come with a more modern and refined silhouette and in thinner cases than their previous iterations. Meanwhile, the 38mm timepieces have been given a makeover in a bid to give them a more curvaceous look than their larger counterparts. Each one of them, barring one monotone stainless steel model, is studded with 72 diamonds that add a touch of elegance to the overall sporty appeal of the watches.

The 38mm timepieces have also been given a makeover and each one of them, barring one monotone stainless steel model, is studded with 72 diamonds that add a touch of elegance to the overall sporty appeal of the watches

A Variety Of Materials With Flawless Finishing

What makes the new Admiral an absolute banger is that the series is offered in a host of different materials, coupled with some exquisite and flawless finishing. By introducing the iterations in not only stainless steel but also in titanium—only the 38mm variants are crafted from this ultralight material—and in a combination of steel or titanium with 18-karat gold, Corum have tried to cater to the varying tastes of watch enthusiasts. Every timepiece has been meticulously executed and it exemplifies the watchmakers’ high-quality craftsmanship and ability to push the boundaries of refinement. A case in point is their limited edition Admiral 42 Automatic in a full grey monochrome version. Crafted in sandblasted stainless steel with a gradient grey dial, the timepiece looks discrete and has an almost ethereal appeal. Standing on the opposite side of the spectrum are the two-tone iterations that exude flamboyant and luxurious vibes. The 42mm two-tone versions come in steel and gold, while the 38mm models are offered with titanium and gold. In addition to the seamless amalgamation of polished and satin-brushed finishes on their cases, most of the variants are available with the choice of a super-comfortable bracelet or vulcanised rubber strap that easily snuggles on the wrist.

Exquisite Dials With Clean And Uncluttered Good Looks

Whether it’s the chronographs or the time-and-date models, the display of the new Admiral collection is simply captivating and perfectly legible. Throughout the range, we see the dauphine-shaped and Super-LumiNova-coated timekeeping hands along with neatly placed hour indices. In the 38mm models, the signature 12 nautical pennants remain on the flange, whereas in the 42mm variants, they are placed on the dial and seen in bright colourful hues except in the full-grey, monochromatic limited edition. Coming to the dial patterns, the Admiral 38mm timepieces are adorned with the grenadier fendu (‘split pomegranate’) motif that gives the face a sense of visual depth. This unique pattern was developed by a team of experienced designers back at the Corum manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds and is exclusively used by the brand. Although the Admiral 42mm watches don’t come with any specific patterns like their 38mm siblings, they are equally alluring and charming to look at.

Under the hood, these timepieces are powered by trusted and reliable movements, which guarantee top-notch performance and precision. The Admiral 42mm Automatic watches are equipped with the CO 395 movement that runs at a frequency of 28,800vph and can store a power reserve of around 42 hours. The chronographs, on the other hand, feature the calibre CO 984, which has the same frequency and power reserve as the aforementioned movement. One thing that sets Corum apart here is that the watchmakers, unlike so many brands out there, haven’t equipped the smaller timepieces—conventionally for ladies—with a quartz movement. The 38mm watches run on the automatic calibre CO 082 that beats at 28,000vph, offers a power reserve of 42 hours, and are, by no means, lesser than their more masculine counterparts.

Perfecting The Details

Building on its rich and glorious history, the new Admiral collection might not offer any ground-breaking or truly exceptional updates but it comes with certain improvements that help catapult it among the upper echelons of the sports watch genre. The slimmer designs, better water resistance, while ensuring extraordinary performance without compromising on the looks, make each new iteration a crowd pleaser for sure.