Skull candy
In 2000, Corum unveiled a 45 mm model, dubbed Bubble, whose distinguishing feature was a soaring domed sapphire crystal that magnified the dial, distorting the hour markers and numerals. Irreverent, oversized, and extremely contemporary in its styling, the model – conceived by the late Severin Wunderman – was everything Swiss watches of the time were not. And it was a hit. But demand waned for the Bubble collection after five years.
A decade later, however, Corum reintroduced the Bubble with three new well-received models. In 2016, the brand capitalised on that momentum with 37 new styles – including the new Bubble 47 Flying Tourbillon, introduced late last year. Corum promotes the collection on social media with the tag #areyoububble, to which we can only say: “Why yes, yes we are.”
Now housed in a 47 mm rose-gold case with a glare-proof sapphire crystal dome, the Bubble 47 Flying Tourbillon is bigger and bubblier than ever. An image of a hollow-eyed skull with an open jaw lends the dial a dark, slightly eerie vibe. The piece comes paired with a black alligator-leather strap.
The gaping jaw of the skull partially conceals a flying tourbillon. Manufactured by Le Cercle des Horlogers, a Swiss firm based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the automatic movement also contains a small rotor finished with Corum’s signature key in 18-karat red gold. The power reserve is 72 hours.
The Bubble 47 Flying Tourbillon is a one-of-a-kind watch, a fact reiterated by an engraving on the back of its case that reads, “unique piece.” So it comes as no surprise that its retail price is a cool US$101,000/RM447,350.
