Corum Honoured at Watch Of The Year 2009 Event

On October 28th at the Intercontinental Hotel of Geneva, the 2009 edition of the Watch of the Year event took place to award the most notable watches conceived in the past year as chosen by a panel of experts. Corum took a very respectable second place for its Ti-Bridge that was introduced at this year's Baselworld fair.

The winners are chosen from a group of forty watches that in turn are selected from the hundreds of watches created during the period of September 2008 and December 2009. Corum's Ti-Bridge was chosen to be the second-best watch created this year. Top honours are reserved for Vacheron Constantin's "Historiques American 1921"

Upon accepting the prize, Corum CEO Antonio Calce announced that he is "happy to receive this prize, which reflects the pride of [his] teams, whose talent contributes to make the value of Corum today. The Ti-Bridge embodies perfectly the philosophy of Corum: creativity, design and high watchmaking content. This timepiece opens a new chapter in the already rich history of the company."

The 2009 Only Watch Auction raised €2,285,500 for the Monegasque Association Against Muscular Dystrophy in Monaco. The auction organizer Osvaldo Patrizzi of Patrizzi & Co. is very pleased with the outcome saying that "these are excellent results."

34 manufacturers of luxury watches donated their one-of-a-kind watch to the auction. Although lower then previous results of roughly € 2.7 million in 2007, the figures are in tune with the present softer economy. Many of the watches offered commanded prices within their estimate range. While numerous timepieces reached or came close to their maximum estimates, only two watches surpassed them with the Patek Philippe ref. 5106 being the most successful lot.

Amongst the participating manufacturers were Bell & Ross and Corum. The diamond encrusted BR-01 Airborne One donated by Bell & Ross sold for €34,000. Corum's addition was a specialized version of their new Ti-Bridge that sold for €12,000.

A full list of results is available on the Patrizzi &, Co. website.

This is year Bell & Ross will take part in the annual Only Watch charity gala. The charity event, who's proceeds will benefit the Association Monegasque Contre les Myopathies, takes place on September 24th in Monte Carlo during the Monaco Yatch Show.

Bell & Ross will be offering a variation of their new BR 01 Airborne. The 46mm case as well as the dial are encrusted with 672 white and black diamonds totalling a carat weight of 4.57. As usual the Instrument will come with two interchangeable bands of which one is a rubber one and the other is made with black galuchat.

"We support Only Watch in its incredible fund-raising efforts in the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy," says Bell & Ross co-founder Carlos Rosillo. "This year the brand will join forces with the Only Watch project and participate in this great endeavour to help children suffering from this disease. Our commitment to help has resulted in the design of this exclusive watch."

Thirty-three other watchmakers will donate a unique timepiece to the event, including Corum, who will offer a specialized version of its new Ti-Bridge.

Only watch website: www.patrizziauction.com/only_watch

With the Admiral's Cup GMT 44, CORUM presents a chic, urban variation of its legendary collection. Skillfully marrying sporting spirit and aesthetic elegance, this model signals the start of a new line that will be complemented by subsequent variations and is distinguished by softer angles, a thinner case and redesigned lines of force. To keep step with its times, the Admiral's Cup GMT 44 displays a second time zone, an extremely useful complication much in favor among globetrotters and active individuals constantly juggling with time zones.

Designed for daily wear, the Admiral's Cup GMT 44 features a 44mm-diameter satin-brushed and polished case. It is available in red gold, red gold/steel and steel versions framing a pure, understated dial with a date window at 3 o'clock. The second time-zone markings appear around the rim, pointed to by a clearly identifiable red arrow. The white or black dial is rimmed with a flange bearing the 12 miniaturized nautical pennants serving as a reminder of the collection's genetic heritage. To secure the case, CORUM has fitted it with a solid screw-down back engraved with the Admiral's Cup trophy, or a version with a sapphire crystal window enabling one to admire the gear trains in action. Whether a genuine crocodile leather strap or a bracelet in the same metal as the case, the wristband is specially designed to ensure optimal comfort. The water resistance of the steel and steel/red gold versions is guaranteed to 100 meters, and that of the red gold variation to 50 meters.

The mechanical self-winding CO383 movement powers hour, minute, seconds and date functions, in addition to the dual time-zone display. Equipped with an oscillating weight engraved with the CORUM brand name, it boasts a 42-hour power reserve and features rhodium-plated finishes. Altogether and including all its versions, less than 1,000 Admiral's Cup GMT 44 watches will be produced in 2009.

Matt Baily will represent three new luxury brands as official dealer starting in late August. Franc Vila and Romain Jerome watches will complement the watch brands that are currently available at the Montreal boutique, while Scott Kay will be the newest addition in the men's jewellery section.

Romain Jerome has received a lot of press in the past year thanks to their use of metal taken from the wreck of the Titanic. Selected models from their collections are adorned with the metal, which is oxidized to different degrees. The rust is sealed with special procedures to avoid further oxidization. This use of "Titanic DNA" will be mirrored in some of their most recent collections with the use of veritable moon-dust.

Franc Vila offers high-precision timepieces that push the envelope of modern design with the use of uncommon forms. They incorporate a blend of high-technology and traditional manufacturing methods. As with Romain Jerome, Matt Baily will be the brand's only authorized dealer in Canada.

Matt Baily's male clientele will have a new style of jewellery to choose from. Scott Kay is a well known pioneer in the jewelry world. He is the original advocate for the use of platinum for bridal pieces, which has now become commonplace. As he continues to push the envelope for traditional mediums like bridal and women's jewelry, Scott Kay is also working hard on creating hand-made collections of men's silver jewelry, which will be available soon at the Matt Baily boutique.

For more information visit the official sites of Romain Jerome, Franc Vila, and Scott Kay