Artistic And Technical Feat: Corum’s Golden Bridge “Serpent”

Recently for my Top Watches of 2024 feature in Elite Traveler Magazine, I selected Corum as one of fewer than 30 watches to make the cut. The watch: the Golden Bridge Classic Serpent one-of-a-kind timepiece with its iconic in-line movement. That watch is one of many artistic feats that the brand brings to life. Now, it continues the Serpent story with another one-off that celebrates the upcoming Chinese New Year.

Corum, known for pushing the boundaries of design and engineering, has long placed art at the core of its identity. With a history steeped in creativity, Corum continues to dazzle the world of haute horlogerie with innovative timepieces that blur the lines between art and mechanical mastery. The latest example of this vision is the Golden Bridge “Serpent”—a striking, artistic timepiece that honors the brand’s rich heritage while embracing new artistic horizons.

Corum Golden Bridge “Serpent”: A Watchmaking Masterpiece

In celebration of the upcoming Chinese New Year, Corum’s latest Golden Bridge creation is a fitting homage to the Year of the Serpent. Crafted with a 5N rose gold tonneau-shaped case, the Golden Bridge “Serpent” exudes a sense of elegance and mystery.

Sapphire crystals on nearly all sides offer an unobstructed view of the intricate hand-wound Golden Bridge CO 113 movement, composed of over 190 components. The manual winding mechanism beats at 4 Hz and offers a 40-hour power reserve, a testament to Corum’s technical prowess.

However, it is the artistic embellishments that truly set this timepiece apart. At the heart of the watch, a finely sculpted and hand-painted serpent coils around the iconic Golden Bridge movement. The serpent, a powerful symbol in Chinese culture representing wisdom and transformation, is brought to life with painstaking attention to detail. Nearly a hundred hours of meticulous work go into sculpting and painting the serpent, making each piece a unique work of art.

Golden leaves and vines surround the serpent, creating a jungle-like environment within the case. The micro-sculpture and painting techniques used to craft this scene elevate the Golden Bridge “Serpent” from a simple timepiece to a miniature art installation, where every glance reveals new details. Via a transparent sapphire case back, the movement is visible nestled among hand-painted green leaves indicative of the Garden of Eden.

While the Golden Bridge “Serpent” stands out as a remarkable achievement, it is by no means an isolated example of Corum’s artistic expertise. The brand has a long history of incorporating mythical creatures and rich symbolism into its designs. Corum’s dragon watches, often tied to Chinese mythology, similarly feature intricate details that appeal to collectors who appreciate both fine watchmaking and artistic craftsmanship.