New: Corum Admiral 42 Automatic “Grenadier Fendu”

Corum updates the iconic Admiral collection with the new Admiral Automatic “Grenadier Fendu” with 6 new models in steel and steel and gold and the option of two dial colours.

Press Release information with commentary in italics.

New: Corum Admiral 42 Automatic “Grenadier Fendu”

Recommended Retail Prices are as follows:

• CHF 4’200.- on alligator strap
• CHF 4’400.- on steel bracelet 
• CHF 7’200.- for the Steel & Gold versions

Commentary

The Admiral is one of Corum’s well recognised icons. Originally released as part of their America’s Cup collection, the series had to be re-imagined when Corum did not continue with the partnership with The America’s Cup, and brought about the collection which is simply renamed Admiral from 2017. The 12 sided case remains, and the penchant for exploring new materials continues with the new name. For example. Corum Admiral AC-One 45, comes with a timber dial in a bronze case, and the 2016 Corum Admiral’s Cup Legend 47 Worldtimer carries the iconic nautical flag motif for the indices, a sapphire skeleton dial and the old model name Admiral’s Cup.

The base for the new “Grenadier Fendu” is the Admiral 42 Automatic, the bronze version linked. But the 6 new watches are released with steel cases, and either steel bezel or a gold bezel. Two dial options are available – in either a dark blue or black. The dial is made from a massive piece of bronze, quite an unusual dial material, and sports a special motif which was created by Corum, and is known as “Grenadier Fendu”. And options for either in alligator strap or on a stainless steel bracelet.

Release information

Easily one Corum’s most iconic collections, the Admiral embraces the spirit of contemporary design inspired by a long history with maritime sailing. This collection is beloved by collectors, especially those with a yearning to indulge in an active yet elegant lifestyle. Now, Corum’s master craftsmen unveil six new versions of the coveted Admiral 42 Automatic with a distinctive dial motif.

It was three years after the inaugural America’s Cup reenactment race (celebrating the 1851 America’s Cup regatta, which today is the oldest international sailing competition) in 1957, that Corum released its first Admiral watch. The brand worked with the race organization, for which it was a sponsor, to establish the first then-square Admiral watches that made their debut in 1960.

Two decades later, in 1980, the Admiral collection was totally reimagined. It now boasted the 12-sided (dodecagonal) case shape and colored sailing pennants that quickly garnered it a cult-like following and elevated the series to the legendary status it enjoys to this day. In the decades since, the Admiral has enjoyed grand attention as new and more visionary evolutions (always inspired by marine races and sailing) set the stage for this master of the seas timepiece.

Today, as Corum answers the call of contemporary casual navigators and lovers of the sea, it brings new versions to the fore front that are ready to go the distance. Each of the six versions boasts a dial with the three-dimensional Grenadier fendu motif that was totally designed in house in La Chaux-de-Fonds by the Corum team in 2019 and is unique and proprietary to the brand. Thus far, this dial motif has only been used on the 38mm and 45mm Admiral Automatic watches, so this marks a first for the Admiral 42 Automatic.

Essentially, the six new versions boast two dial colors among them: a rich Mediterranean sea blue and a striking midnight black. Each dial color is offered in three models: stainless steel case and bracelet; stainless steel case with color coordinated alligator leather strap; stainless steel case with 18-karat 5N rose gold bezel and crown and color-coordinated alligator leather strap with triple folding clasp.

A tour around the dial of each watch showcases an outer chapter flange with the famed nautical pennants transferred in outlined format and minute indexes, applied hour markers and white Super-LumiNova coated Dauphine skeletonized hands, date at 3:00 via an aperture and subsidiary small seconds dial at 6:00.

The sapphire crystal of each watch is treated with an anti-reflective coating, as is the case back that allows for viewing of the movement. Each watch is powered by the automatic CO 395 caliber that beats at 4 Hz and offers 42 hours of power reserve. Thanks to a screwed in caseback, the Admiral 42 Automatic watches are water resistant to 100 meters. They are a tour de force perfect for today’s lifestyles.

Corum Admiral 42 Automatic “Grenadier Fendu” Technical Specifications

References

• A395/04291 – 395.110.20/V720 AB60
• A395/04292 – 395.110.20/V720 AN60
• A395/04293 – 395.110.20/0F02 AD60
• A395/04294 – 395.110.20/0F01 AN60
• A395/04299 – 395.110.24/0F01 AB60
• A395/04300 – 395.110.24/0F01 AN60

Movement

• Movement number: CO 395
• Winding system: Automatic
• Functions: Hour & Minute • Date • Small second
• Power reserve: 42 hours
• Frequency: 4 Hz, 28’800 vph
• Dimension: 11 1/2’’’
• Rubies: 27 to 31 rubies depending on the execution

Case

• 42mm dodecagonal 
• 10.30mm thickness
• Stainless steel 
• Stainless steel or 5N 18kt rose gold bezel
• Crown in stainless steel or 5N 18kt rose gold
• Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
• Screwed in open back cover in stainless steel, sapphire crystal with anti-
  reflective treatment
• 100 meters / 10 ATM water resistance

Dial

• Material: brass
• Colour: blue or black
• Applied rhodium-coated minute indexes with white superluminova
• CORUM logo applied on the dial
• CORUM key applied on the dial
• «Grenadier fendu» finishing
• Hands: Dauphine • Rhodium-coated • Faceted • Skeleton • White superluminova

Strap/bracelet & Buckle

• Blue or black alligator strap / Stainless steel bracelet
• Interhorn/Buckle: 21/18 mm
• Buckle type: Triple folding stainless steel clasp