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Corum wristwatch, ref. 89, Admiral's Cup Automatic, circa 1990 — view 1 of 2
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Corum wristwatch, ref. 89, Admiral's Cup Automatic, circa 1990

DocumentedDocumented from an auction catalogue; attribution as stated by the auction house.
Maker / attribution
Corum (brand / maker)
Date
c. 1990
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Materials / technique
stainless steel
Dimensions
diameter 34 mm
Lot
Lot 342-34
Credit line
Auction lot record: LOT 34, Geneva, September 22, 2021
Catalogue title (original)
CORUM, REF. 89 810 21, ADMIRAL'S CUP, AUTOMATIC, STEEL AND GOLD (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva (lot Lot 342-34), this is a wristwatch by Corum, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1990. 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 34 mm. The record is illustrated with 2 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

Antiquorum catalogue description

A fine, self-winding, stainless steel and yellow gold wristwatch with date

Lot specifications (Antiquorum)

Model: Admiral's Cup; Reference: 89 810 21 V-52; Case No.: 471533; Material: stainless steel and yellow gold; Bracelet: integrated stainless steel and yellow gold Corum bracelet with double deployant clasp, approx. overall length 173 mm.; Caliber: 2824.2, 25 jewels; Diameter: 34 mm.; Signature: Dial, case and movement signed; Accessories: Corum service pouch, certificate of warranty, booklet

Inscriptions & marks

Dial, case and movement signed

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.

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