Corum

Corum BASEL 94
Only twelve consecutively numbered examples of this exceptionally complex timepiece, developed specially for Corum, are being turned out. With respect to the gearing that drives the hands, the entire movement, including the tourbillon and the repeater strike mechanism, incorporates a totally novel technical approach. Turning the gears in the opposite direction has allowed designers to array the movement and its subassemblies in a way never seen before: visible for the first time through the transparent watch face are the hour, minute and seconds hands, the tourbillon carriage and the striking-work hammers. Adding to the exceptional interest of this timepiece is the display of the seconds by means of a set of three small hands fitted directly on the tourbillon staff that sweep, in turn, over a third of a dial with 1-to-20-seconds graduations. Every part and component of this hand-wound movement has been meticulously bevelled, polished, engine-turned and engraved by hand. The dial is entirely openworked and its flange engraved, while the gold hands display a black lacquered finish. Case in yellow or pink 18K gold, with transparent back. A number of models, including a square-cased platinum pocket watch (No 1), are set with emeralds and with diamonds, other with rubies. The design pictured here is platinum and features a round emerald set into the winding crown while 36 extremely pure trapeze-cut emeralds weighing 2.46 carats enhance the bezel.