Let us take a moment or two to appreciate the extravagant side of watchmaking – not with regard to masterful compendiums of complications, but instead with unashamedly luxurious aesthetics in mind. Back in the 1970’s nothing announced your affluence to the world quite like a gold watch – a fact which Corum did not overlook, and when they unveiled their Ingot watch in 1977 it was just about as gold as a gold watch could be. Now it is back, in a new guise and with a new title, the Corum Heritage Ingot.
The original Corum Ingot
Before watch companies began to create their own bespoke “brand metals”, and before carbon fibre and ceramics became fashionable materials with which to elevate the price of a wristwatch, gold was King. Gold is and always has been covetable, it is still considered to be the most noble of metals and through the ages it has remained emblematic of wealth.
Corum Heritage Ingot – Corum’s Midas Connection
Corum, the brand which was formally established in 1955 by Gaston Reis and his nephew René Bannwart, were known for their daring designs. Even though they were unafraid to experiment with complicated micro-mechanics it was their nonconforming aesthetics which gained them notoriety. In 1964 they created their Double Eagle Gold Coin watch, having devised a way to split the coin in order to slip a slender watch movement between the two halves, and in the 1970’s their bird feather watches and Rolls Royce Grille dial models added an air of “Hippy Chic” to their portfolio. In the midst of these flamboyant creations their Gold Ingot watch must have been a rather tame albeit luxurious addition.
The new Ingot Heritage replicates the original model and forms part of Corum’s Heritage collection which revisits the brand’s classic pieces. Its dial features a scaled-down but perfectly formed ingot made from 15 grams of 24-carat gold. As if to affirm its opulence it has its purity grade of “999.9” engraved along with its weight on the front for all the world to see. Despite its plush character, this model has plain styling, and the only embellishment apart from the subtle hour markers and Corum branding is some gentle beading around the edge of the dial.
Corum Heritage Ingot
Inside the Corum automatic CO 082 movement keeps time beating at 28,000 vph and it retains a power reserve of 42 hours. Such a deluxe dial deserves an equally lavish housing and this model has been endowed with a 30mm x 40mm 3N 18k yellow gold case which is water resistant to 30m.
The Corum Heritage Ingot watch comes fitted with a black crocodile leather strap which features an engraved pin buckle, also included with each piece is an official certificate of authenticity. Price: $26’300.
