
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Corum "Rolls Royce" In 18K Yellow Gold With Diamonds, 1997
- Maker / attribution
- Corum (maker)
- Date
- 1997
- Historical period
- Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- 18k yellow gold
- Dimensions
- Case 31 mm
- Stock no.
- W-3089
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-3089)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Corum "Rolls Royce" In 18K Yellow Gold With Diamonds (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-3089), this is a wristwatch by Corum, made in Switzerland, dated 1997. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: 18k yellow gold. Recorded dimensions: Case 31 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Bulang & Sons
This funky and rare timepiece, Reference 55 79 256, is a tribute to the opulence of the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, featuring a 31mm x 32mm 18k yellow gold case. The design, inspired by the iconic radiator grille, includes sculpted lugs, a miniature ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ mascot perched gracefully atop the case, and a dazzling row of diamonds framing the grille. The gold-toned dial continues the theme with its distinctive grille pattern, paired with elegant gold dauphine hands. The caseback reveals a hand-finished, manually wound movement through a sapphire crystal aperture. This limited-edition piece (1 of 60, produced in 1997) is individually numbered on the side of the case, adding to its exclusivity. Completing the design is a custom-cut alligator leather strap, fitted with an 18k gold Corum pin buckle. The watch has been fully serviced by our watchmaker and is ready to steal the show, whether at a car meet or a formal event. Specifications: - Corum “Rolls-Royce” Reference 55 79 256 (Limited to 60 pieces) - 18k yellow gold case with diamond-set grille - Rolls-Royce radiator grille motif with Spirit of Ecstasy mascot - Serial 2x of 60, dating to 1997 - 31mm x 32mm case size - Gold-toned dial with dauphine hands - Corum manual-wind movement, hand-finished, visible through a sapphire caseback - Custom leather strap with 18k yellow gold Corum buckle - Fully serviced by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade leather watch pouch
Historical context
Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.
Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Quartz Revolution
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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