Corum: history, models and value

Founded

1955

Founder(s)

René Bannwart, Gaston Ries

Headquarters

La Chaux-de-Fonds

Owner / group

Independent (management buyout, 2025)

Corum: origins and founding

Corum was founded in 1955 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, in the Swiss Jura, and its first watches reached the market in 1956. The name comes from the Latin word "quorum", simplified to Corum. The logo is a key pointing upward, which the brand links to mystery and new ideas.

Founders and family

Corum was started by René Bannwart together with his uncle Gaston Ries. His son Jean-René Bannwart joined in 1966 and shaped many of the designs that became Corum classics. René Bannwart died in January 2010 at the age of 95.

Corum history and milestones

• 1960: first Admiral's Cup, a square water-resistant watch.
• 1964: the Coin Watch, an ultra-thin watch made from a US $20 Double Eagle gold coin. It became one of Corum's early best-sellers.
• 1980: the Golden Bridge, with a straight-line baguette movement visible through a sapphire case, based on an idea by watchmaker Vincent Calabrese.
• 2000: Severin Wunderman bought a majority stake; the Bannwart family kept a minority.
• 2000s: the Bubble, with its large domed sapphire crystal, was produced through the decade. It was reintroduced in 2015.
• 2008: after Severin Wunderman's death, his son Michael took over.
• 2013: sale to China Haidian Holdings of Hong Kong, later renamed Citychamp Watch & Jewellery Group.
• 2025: a management buyout led by Haso Mehmedovic and Swiss investors returned Corum to Swiss ownership.

Famous Corum models

• Admiral's Cup – Corum's sailing-inspired line, known today for its 12-sided case and nautical pennant flags on the dial.
• Coin Watch – a thin, bezel-less watch whose dial is made from a real gold coin.
• Golden Bridge – the linear baguette movement floating in a transparent case; the brand's best-known complication.
• Bubble – bold, oversized and playful, with a strongly domed crystal.

Movements and technique

Corum has used both mechanical and quartz movements over its history. Many models use movements from outside suppliers, but the Golden Bridge has always had its own special linear movement. In 2009 Corum presented the CO 007, an in-house Golden Bridge calibre, and in 2011 the Golden Bridge Automatic added linear automatic winding to the Bridges collection.

Corum today

Corum is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Since May 2025 it has been owned by a group led by its CEO and chairman Haso Mehmedovic, who joined the company as a watchmaker in 2011. The brand sits in the luxury segment, with the Golden Bridge at the high end.

Corum prices on the pre-owned market

Corum prices vary a lot. Golden Bridge models, especially in gold, and genuine Coin Watches are the pieces collectors look for most. For Coin Watches, the gold content gives a solid floor to the value. Steel Admiral's Cup and Bubble models are common and usually sell well below their original retail price. Quartz models fetch less than mechanical ones. Value depends on condition, a working movement, original strap or bracelet and the box and papers. Corum has had several owners and reduced visibility over the years, which has kept many pre-owned prices modest.

How to recognise a genuine Corum

Look for the Corum key logo on the dial and crown, and a reference and serial number on the caseback. On a Golden Bridge, the movement should be a narrow straight bar, finely finished and clearly visible from both sides. Coin Watches should show crisp coin details; a dull or soft-looking coin is a warning sign. Bubbles and Admiral's Cups are copied, so check the finish of the case and dial printing closely. More tips: how to spot a fake watch.

What is your Corum worth?

You can get a first idea for free: upload a few photos to our free watch value estimate. If you need a signed document for an estate, an insurer or a sale, order a written watch appraisal.

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