Skip to content
Corum wristwatch, ref. 285.180.20, Bubble Chrono Automatic, Sold in April 2009 — view 1 of 1
View 1 of 1 · Image: Antiquorum Genève SA · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Corum wristwatch, ref. 285.180.20, Bubble Chrono Automatic, Sold in April 2009

DocumentedDocumented from an auction catalogue; attribution as stated by the auction house.
Maker / attribution
Corum (brand / maker)
Date
Sold in April 2009
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Materials / technique
stainless steel
Dimensions
diameter 45 mm
Lot
Lot 374-47
Credit line
Auction lot record: LOT 47, Hong Kong December 13th, 2024
Catalogue title (original)
CORUM, SWITZERLAND, REF. 285.180.20, BUBBLE CHRONO, AUTOMATIC, STAINLESS STEEL (English)

View the source record (auction lot) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva (lot Lot 374-47), this is a wristwatch by Corum, made in Switzerland, dated Sold in April 2009. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: stainless steel. Recorded dimensions: diameter 45 mm. The record is illustrated with 1 photograph.

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

Antiquorum catalogue description

A fine, unusual, stainless steel, self winding chronograph wristwatch with date

Lot specifications (Antiquorum)

Model: Bubble Chrono; Reference: 285.180.20; Case No.: 732012; Bracelet: rubber with a stainless steel Corum double deployant clasp; Caliber: 2892 A2, 28 jewels; Diameter: 45; Signature: dial, case and movement; Accessories: original fitted box (flaking), warranty card, instruction booklet

Inscriptions & marks

dial, case and movement

Provenance

Property of a Romanian family

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

Automatic (self-winding) watches

Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.

What to look for

  • A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
  • 'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
  • A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.

Dating clues

  • Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
  • Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
  • Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.

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.

Related records