Corum Admiral: A New Course in Ceramic

Corum is a brand apart. Neither a venerable, institutional manufacture (it was founded in 1995), nor a newcomer to the scene. Above all, it is a maison with incomparable creativity. Its archives of designs, drawings, prototypes and stylistic explorations are beyond comprehension. Its commercial offering has sometimes suffered as a result: a proliferation of models, projects that were sometimes short-lived, and poorly structured collections. So be it. That is the Corum spirit. The brand operates outside the beaten track, lets itself be guided by its imagination, and can rely on a solid base of loyal collectors. And few watch industry professionals would deny it this quality: Corum is probably one of the most creative brands of its time. There is no need to shy away from the comparison; the obvious should be stated: MB&F, Urwerk and Ressence are Corum's natural offspring in the sense that they continue its path of boldness and perpetual reinvention.

Today, one could hardly expect Corum to regularly unveil disruptive new products. The brand was relaunched in May 2025 by Haso Mehmedovic through an MBO (Management Buy-Out, a buyout by its own employees). It took a year to work on new collections, presented in spring 2026. These three Admiral models are part of them. The task now is to establish the range, bring it to life, and promote it among retailers and collectors. That is the purpose of these three ceramic variations.

Why ceramic?

“Ceramic gives the Admiral all the performance of a contemporary material. It is a material that leaves no room for error. These three timepieces embody everything Corum is becoming again: a demanding manufacture that remains true to its heritage. A material that fully reflects the spirit we want to instill in this collection: sporty, precise and built to last over the long term,” explains Haso Mehmedovic, Chairman & CEO of Corum.

Ceramic is also a relevant choice for a watch born from the maritime world. It is lighter than steel, scratch-resistant and not subject to corrosion. Here, it comes in three variations: two-tone blue and steel, blue and gold, and anthracite skeletonized.

Technically, these models do not differ from those presented in the spring. They retain the 39 mm case housing the movement developed for Corum by Concepto, its neighboring movement partner in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Its full three-day power reserve is a welcome feature.

Three different personalities

From a design perspective, the return of the integrated bracelet is worth highlighting. It had appeared occasionally throughout the Admiral's long history, which began in 1960. It makes the case even more streamlined and allows the characteristic 12-sided cut bezel to stand out more clearly. Since its return six months ago, the new design of the hour markers has also been appreciated: they now incorporate, as a single element, both the actual hour marker and the nautical flags that are an integral part of the Admiral's identity.

Finally, while the three pieces are united by their shared use of ceramic, each asserts its own independent personality. This comes from the dial. The blue model features a very soft vertical satin finish, while the blue-and-gold version opts for a more pronounced grained texture. The anthracite variation is more modern and mechanical, dispensing with a conventional dial to reveal a skeletonized aesthetic that allows the CO232 caliber to be seen. Three models, three different expressions, reinforcing a structured and rational approach.