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The Golden Bridge – A Clear Icon
The Golden Bridge is a truly original watch introduced by Corum in 1980 that became an instant and enduring success. The watch features a mechanical watch movement created and patented by the horological powerhouse, Vincent Calabrese in 1977, designed to showcase the “inner beauty” of watchmaking. The Golden Bridge was a defining model for Corum and a beacon of light for mechanical watches during the darkness of the 1980s quartz crisis.
Seeing this watch for the first time is what ignited my passion for mechanical watches and is the reason Ali’i Watch Company exists today. So here’s a brief historical overview of one of my favorite watches and a small thank you to Vincent Calabrese for inspiring me to become a watchmaker.
Accidental Inspiration
The idea for the Golden Bridge watch was inspired by a customer that had damaged their Breguet minute repeater in a car accident. The customer asked Calabrese to repair the case and dial but to skip repairing the movement.
“The customer told me, ‘No one sees the movement anyway, so there is no need for any repair’! His words stung my ears and it led me to produce a timepiece where the movement, and not the case or design that is the star. Like what we say these days, it is the ‘inner beauty’ that counts!” – Vincent Calabrese
The beauty of the movement is exactly what stopped me in my tracks as I saw this watch in the window of a jewelry store. I was in awe of the simplicity and elegance of this machine that could tell time accurately for decades without any electrical components and set off that night on my watchmaking journey.
Unveiling a Masterpiece
Calabrese worked on the design and prototype of the movement for years, and patented a unique, 45-component linear movement where the bridges and main plate were made of 18-carat gold, hand-engraved, and arranged in a striking, rectangular form. In 1977, he unveiled his creation at the Geneva International Inventors’ Show, and was awarded a gold medal. This also won the attention of René Bannwart, the founder of Corum.
The Birth of an Icon
Bannwart immediately recognized the potential of Calabrese’s creation and the first Golden Bridge was presented at the Basel Fair in 1980, sparking significant success for Corum and solidifying its reputation for innovative and non-traditional watchmaking.
This technical versatility encouraged experimentation. Brands like Tudor, Sinn, and Oris used modified versions of the 2824 as springboards for their own calibers. Over time, it became a movement that enabled innovation across the industry, pushing design, durability, and precision forward.
A Legacy of Aesthetic and Technical Revolution
The Golden Bridge was a triumph of both technical and aesthetic design, featuring the only linear “baguette” movement in existence and celebrating the art of fine craftsmanship.
The watch’s success in the 1980s, amidst a prevailing shift towards quartz technology, demonstrated the enduring appeal and beauty of purely mechanical watches.
Over the years, Corum has continued to evolve the Golden Bridge, introducing automatic versions, different case shapes including round and tonneau, different materials, and intricate decorative elements like hand-engraved gold, hand-painted designs, and enamel work. While I appreciate the advancements in the movement and designs that help keep this watch relevant and fresh, I will always favor the original design for its elegant simplicity.
