I didn’t know what to make of this intriguing Corum watch when they showed it to me recently. Part of their higher, higher-end collection of high complication watches, this piece had a number of elements that are thought provoking. At 47mm wide, this watch comes in a few varieties, seen here in aluminum. There will also be a 18k red gold version. Unlike naked aluminum that is prone to degradation overtime, this one is done in an “electroplasma treatment,” that I believe protects it and gives it that matte black finish.

Aluminum watches aren’t as strong as titanium, but are often lighter. F.P. Journe recently auctioned off the first of his new sport collection in aluminum, and the piece went for almost half a million dollars. At 47mm wide, the watch is large but very light and sits comfortably on the wrist. The shiny black alligator strap looks particularly nice and glossy against the matte finish of the case.

The movement is also quite interesting, and sometimes I think that the back of the watch is more impressive that the front of it. The movement is done in a series of black tones with a pleasant modern design. The large sized Corum caliber CO397 automatic movement is made to full most of the case and looks impressive through the sapphire caseback display. I particularly like the black perlage polish around the periphery of it next to all the matte surfaces. The movement has a large tourbillon (with Corum’s signature key style cage) that is visible through the dial of the watch and goes right through the entire case.

In addition to the tourbillon, the other major feature of the movement is the second time zone function. An easy to press pusher at 4 o’clock adjusts the second time zone that is show on subsidiary dial in a 12 hour format. As such, there is also a day/night (AM/PM) indicator for the second time zone near it on the dial.

In 2015, Corum restored its favorite Bubble watch with three brand new models. One of these was that the Corum Bubble Skeleton. The Bubble watch has become something of an icon for Corum and it’s not tough to see why – especially with that domed sapphire crystal. For 2017, Corum is updating the Bubble Skeleton, also known as the Corum Bubble 47 Squelette watch, by offering it in three new bright colorways and at a lower price compared to 2015 Bubble Skeleton.Corum, in case you have forgotten, was obtained by China Haidian Holdings (now known as Citychamp Watch & Jewellery Group Limited) at 2013. Following the purchase, the brand set about consolidating its set and seeking to construct a more focused portfolio of goods. The Bubble watch was revived as a portion of that. The choice to generate the Bubble watch a priority is a pretty astute one, in my estimation. A powerful, distinct look is one of the hallmarks of a successful watch and also the Bubble watch certainly fulfills this requirement thanks to its impressive domed sapphire crystal.Therefore, the newest Corum Bubble 47 Squelette watches for 2017 do not stray far from this formula. These brand new watches come at the exact same 47mm situation since the Bubble watches from 2015. Made from stainless steel, it’s a fairly generic looking round case, and the only really noteworthy thing about it is the large bubble-shaped crown.The dial is where the majority of the modifications are found. While the older Bubble Skeleton needed a rather plain skeletonized grey dial, the newest Corum Bubble 47 Squelette watches will probably come with brightly colored dials. There are 3 colorways, but the differences between the three are rather minor. If you look carefully, you can see that the key skeletonized plate is blue, but the bigger plates and bridges have been painted in blue, green, or purple, depending upon the reference.The other principal distinction is in the palms. The Bubble Skeleton view from 2015 had skeletonized hands, but the new Corum Bubble 47 Squelette watches have strong hands painted with Super-Luminova in precisely the same colour as the watch’s movement plates. Another enjoyable detail concerning the new Corum Bubble 47 Squelette watches is that the lollipop-style seconds hand, which likewise has Super-Luminova painted at precisely the same color as the motion plates. The palms are also incredibly big, presumably to increase legibility from the skeletonized dial.

The Admiral’s Cup Seafender 47 Tourbillon GMT really looks like it has a lot of dial real estate, this is due to all the space between the asymmetrically arranged dials and information on the main dial. The face itself is textured to give it a more high-end feel. The face also has a date dial.

Functionally the watch is sound, but it is more a complication watch that one designed to evoke a deep sense of elegance. Use of aluminum, the large size, iconic Admiral’s Cup case, and the functions make this niche collectors watch – but one that I would totally want to travel around with. Like I said, it is very comfortable and easy to read. The movement is also neat looking, and being an automatic really makes it a convenient watch. Price is $47,000 in aluminum and $70,000 in red gold.

Tech specs for the Admiral’s Cup Seafender 47 Tourbillon GMT watch from Corum:

Aluminium Model – 397.101.18/0001 AK11

Movement: CO397 — Automatic

Functions: Hour, minute, date, second time zone, day/night indicator, tourbillon

Power Reserve: 50 hours

Shape: Circular (twelve-sided)

Dimension: 47 mm

Materials: Aluminium 7075 case with electroplasma treatment

Aluminium 7075 bezel with electroplasma treatment

Aluminium 7075 crown protector with electroplasma treatment

Crown in stainless steel engraved with CORUM key

Screwed open back cover with anti-reflective treatment

Crystal Dodecagonal sapphire crystal (12 sides), fashioned into shape with anti-reflective treatment

Water-resistance 50 meters

Distinctive features Second time zone corrector at 4 o’clock