Ladies Corum Gold Link Watch

With its integration of unconventional forms and design elements, Corum epitomizes modern Swiss watchmaking. Since its mid-century-era beginnings, Corum has been known for its meticulously crafted watches featuring hand-engraved details, luxe materials and often unusual case shapes. Corum has never shied away from avant-garde designs and techniques, even incorporating bird feathers into its contemporary pieces.

Corum was established in 1955 by watchmaker Gaston Ries and his nephew René Bannwart — an alum of Patek Philippe and Omega — in the Swiss city of La Chaux-de-Fonds. The company soon adopted an adventurous spirit of exploration, helping to redefine the modern hand-crafted watch. 

Corum introduced its first timepieces in 1956. The vintage watch collectors of the world — particularly those fond of shaped watches — are likely familiar with the Golden Tube model that debuted in 1957 as well as the Rolls Royce models that followed decades later. The maker is best known, however, for its Admiral watches, favored by yachting enthusiasts, and its Coin watches, worn by captains of industry and presidents ranging from Lyndon B. Johnson to George H. W. Bush. Corum even introduced a series of book-themed watches in the 1980s and ‘90s.  

In 2000, Belgian watchmaker and entrepreneur Severin Wunderman acquired Corum. Wunderman was the exclusive designer and manufacturer of Gucci watches for 25 years and brought skill and aesthetic flair to Corum, leading it into a new era of innovative design.

Wundermann died in 2008. In 2013, China Haidian Holdings Limited Group purchased Corum. The brand's parent company was later renamed Citychamp Watch & Jewelry Group.

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Antique, vintage and luxury wristwatches have captured the hearts and minds of all manner of watch collectors as well as the watchmakers themselves — it's time you found your own.

Certain vintage watches for men and iconic watch designs for women are sought after not only because of their graceful proportions or innovative materials but also because of the illustrious histories of the houses that created them, histories that they stylishly embody.

Bulgari’s legendary Serpenti watch was on everyone’s list after the collection’s bold bracelet, which technically debuted after the timepiece, graced the wrist of actress Elizabeth Taylor. If anything, elaborately crafted timepieces — the unmistakably boxy silhouette of Cartier Tank watches, the elegant and minimal Calatrava designed by legendary Swiss house Patek Philippe — are even more effective than the shape we associate with traditional wristwatches.

Form watches — the all-encompassing moniker bestowed upon non-round watches — are making headlines and completing contemporary fashionable ensembles the world over. At the same time, both casual fans and careful collectors are drawn to the unbeatable charm of vintage styles, such as the icons designed by Omega that even James Bond can’t resist.

In the early days of watchmaking, watches were fragile enough that they necessitated protection from the elements. Now, wristwatches made of gold and steel can withstand the harshest climates — even 100 meters underwater, in the case of Rolex’s Submariner. Designer Gérald Genta, whose range of clients included Rolex, created for Audemars Piguet the first luxury sports timepiece to be made from stainless steel. First introduced in 1972, the Royal Oak was a perfect choice for blending the form and function that are now synonymous with sports watches.

Are you shopping for a wristwatch? It’s good to keep your needs as well as your specific personal style in mind: A smaller, subtle timepiece is a good fit for small wrists. When will you be wearing your new accessory? There’s a versatile model out there for everyday wear, while a rugged, feature-heavy watch is a safe bet if you’re prone to embarking on all-weather activities in the great outdoors.

Find antique, vintage and luxury wristwatches for sale on 1stDibs.