Corum Golden Bridges Golden Bridge “Dragon”: long dragon

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Corum Golden Bridges Golden Bridge “Dragon”. Introduced in 2014 at the annual BaselWorld watch fair, the hand-engraved oriental dragon is encased in a black PVD-coated titanium case that also houses the Calibre C0 113 manual-winding movement. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. BaselWorld 2014

Corum Bridges Golden Bridge “Dragon”. Introduced in 2014 at the annual BaselWorld watch fair, the hand-engraved oriental dragon is encased in a black PVD-coated titanium case that also houses the Calibre C0 113 manual-winding movement. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. BaselWorld 2014

When is a dragon not an oriental dragon? Simple, the answer is: when it is an occidental dragon.

Generally speaking, unlike the oriental species, the dragon in western culture has wings.

The wyvern, defined as a winged, two-legged dragon with a barbed tail by the Oxford Dictionary, is therefore a western breed.

As for the Corum Bridges Golden Bridge, the hand-engraved dragon artwork is obviously an oriental version. Not having any wings is one hint, the other clue being the pearl set at its tail.

Another important detail will be the five-claws on each “arm” and “feet”. This is important especially for Asian clients due to the history of dragon symbols.

During the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC to 256 BC), the five-clawed dragon was the exclusive symbol of the Chinese Emperor.

The five-clawed dragon therefore represented imperial majesty and power; moreover, anyone who misused this symbol in China during that period would have unceremoniously received the death sentence.

Noblemen used the four-clawed dragon while commoners could have the three-clawed species.

Today, the Chinese will naturally prefer a five-clawed dragon on their furniture, artwork or precious objects. Not surprisingly, observe and you would understand why the hand-engraved artwork featured in Corum’s Golden Bridge “Dragon” is five-clawed.

How long does it take to produce such a hand-engraved dragon? From what we understand, two weeks will be required to produce one dragon. That sounds like a long time but considering the fine detailing and the long dragon body, it is two weeks of well-spent artistic production time.

Speaking of a long dragon, it is also worth noting that dragon is pronounced lóng in Chinese.

If there is any opportunity to view this timepiece, our advice is to check out the hand-engraved dragon and to carefully admire it for it does not make any contact with the Calibre C0 113 manual-winding movement.

The Corum Golden Bridges Golden Bridge “Dragon” is a powerful statement piece on the wrist. It is appropriate for those who appreciate the mythical dragon and longing a long life (pun intended).

How can one have a long life? “Always keep your smile. That’s how I explain my long life,” super centenarian Jeanne Calment (1875 to 1997) once remarked.

Given the artistic approach and fine handcrafted details, we give the Corum Bridges Golden Bridge “Dragon” a five-claws up rating.

Breguet Classique Tourbillon Quantième Perpétuel reference 3797: Time to rise above the rest

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Breguet Classique Tourbillon Quantième Perpétuel reference 3797 in pink gold (3797BR/1E/9WU). It houses the Calibre 588QP2 manual-winding movement in a 41mm diameter case. Indicative pricing: SGD237,500 (Singapore dollars) / MYR535,000 (Malaysian Ringgit). Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. BaselWorld 2014

Breguet Classique Tourbillon Quantième Perpétuel reference 3797 in pink gold (3797BR/1E/9WU). It houses the Calibre 588QP2 manual-winding movement in a 41mm diameter case. Indicative pricing: SGD237,500 (Singapore dollars) / MYR535,000 (Malaysian Ringgit). Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. BaselWorld 2014

Take a good look at the hour and minute hands on Breguet’s Classique Tourbillon Quantième Perpétuel reference 3797 and you’d notice something different about its chapter ring.

The chapter ring is actually sitting above the dial and an opaque offset sapphire disc with metallic Roman numerals is used. In other words, it rises above the rest – all else on the dial.

For the indication of time, the blued steel Breguet open-tipped minute hand travels above the sapphire disc chapter ring while the open-tipped hour hand revolves within the chapter ring.

The blued steel Breguet open-tipped hour and minute hands travel around the elevated sapphire disc chapter ring. At the 12 o’clock position is the retrograde date display. The day display is at 9 o’clock while the month indication is at 3 o’clock. The leap year indication is also at the 3 o’clock position. A revolving blue “sun” will indicate the year and this is currently hidden by the chapter ring and above year “2”. The leap year is indicated when this blue sun is at the “B” position which is year “4”. The tourbillon is at 6 o’clock and above it is the triple hand for the sweep seconds. From the example shown here, it is 12 past 6 on 30 March which is a Sunday. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. BaselWorld 2014

The blued steel Breguet open-tipped hour and minute hands travel around the elevated sapphire disc chapter ring. At the 12 o’clock position is the retrograde date display. The day display is at 9 o’clock while the month indication is at 3 o’clock. The leap year indication is also at the 3 o’clock position. A revolving blue “sun” will indicate the year and this is currently hidden by the chapter ring and above year “2”. The leap year is indicated when this blue sun is at the “B” position which is year “4”. The tourbillon is at 6 o’clock and above it is the triple hand for the sweep seconds. From the example shown here, it is 12 past 6 on 30 March which is a Sunday. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. BaselWorld 2014

There is plenty of information provided by this perpetual calendar watch. It provides the leap year indication (at 3 o’clock), the months (also at 3 o’clock), the day of the week (at 9 o’clock) and do not forget the retrograde date at 12 o’clock.

The years are represented by the numerals 1, 2, 3 and the letter “B” which is for the leap year. The current year is indicated by a rotating blue sun.

The one-minute tourbillon is at 6 o’clock.

At around 7 o’clock, you will be able to locate the Breguet secret signature.

The view from the case back of the Breguet reference 3797 features the movement base plate that is decorated with engravings, what the brand describes as a trellis (a support for creepers). Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. BaselWorld 2014

The view from the case back of the Breguet reference 3797 features the movement base plate that is decorated with engravings, what the brand describes as a trellis (a support for creepers). Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. BaselWorld 2014

From the rear, you will see engravings decorating the movement base plate and the escapement wheel making its 60-second rounds.