Bridge to Yesterday: Corum Golden Bridge Rectangle Limited Editions Mark 40th Anniversary

Swiss watchmaker Corum is celebrating two anniversaries in 2020: 65 years since the company's founding in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1955, and 40 years since the birth of its most iconic timepiece, the original Golden Bridge, in 1980. Paying tribute to both milestones is a pair of limited-edition Golden Bridge models, with their unconventional in-line baguette-shaped calibers housed in the same rectangular cases as the original.

The more exclusive iteration of the Golden Bridge Rectangle 40th Anniversary is in an 18k white gold case, measuring 29.5 x 42.2 mm and enhanced with a finely hand-crafted, engraved floral motif. This "Style Sapin" pattern of acanthus and fern imagery is characteristic of La Chaux-de-Fonds and has been engraved into Golden Bridge calibers since Corum co-founder René Bannwart introduced the first one in 1980. The movement, Caliber CO 113, is manual-winding, stores a power reserve of 40 hours, and features bridges and a plate in the same precious metal as the case. Limited to only three pieces, to honor Corum's three founders, the watch comes on a blue alligator strap that matches the blued, baton-shaped hands.

Limited to a slightly more accessible 40 pieces is the Golden Bridge Rectangle 40th Anniversary in 18k rose gold. The shaped case has the same dimensions as the white gold edition, albeit minus the artisanal engravings, and features the same manual-winding baguette movement, which is visible through sapphire crystals in both the front and back. Its novel design leads the eye from the winding crown and spring barrel at 6 o'clock up to the escapement at 12 o'clock. "Limited Edition 1 of 40" is engraved inside the case at 3 o'clock, while Corum's hallmark "golden key" symbol appears in a repeating pattern on the caseback window. The rose-gold edition features faceted rhodium-plated hands to tell the time and is mounted on a brown alligator strap with a gold triple-folding clasp.

The white-gold edition of the Corum Golden Bridge 40th Anniversary retails for $42,800, the rose-gold version for $39,800.

For more info on the Golden Bridge caliber and its history, read my in-depth review of the 2017 model, here.