The Bubble Wrap

This is one Bubble that isn't going to burst. Time N Style looks at the many faces of this unusual watch from Corum.

To deliver dynamic and daring timepieces, is part of their mission statement. Which really explains how Corum came to design the Bubble.

The Bubble was born in the year 2000 under the creative supervision of designer, CEO and president of Corum, Severin Wunderman. With a spherical winder, a 9 mm thick-domed sapphire bubble with a magnifying glass effect and a dial embellished with four oversize numerals and generously proportioned hands, the watch bordered on the audacious. But it was a gamble that paid off. For the people's acceptance of this watch was almost unanimous. Mischievous and futuristic, it appealed to both men and women of all ages.

The unusual appearance of the watch derives inspiration from Piccard's bathyscaphe, a device designed to explore the far depths of the ocean. And submarine windows. Says Wunderman, "I liked the look of the windows and knew that creating a thick-domed crystal would magnify the numbers on the face and make it easy to read the dial." The glowing hour markers go one step further into making the watch user-friendly. Creative liberty, this watch might be. But there is no taking liberty with the quality of the movement. You can choose from quartz models, chronographs or mechanical calibres with oscillating weight visible through the caseback.

The Bubble, which has anti-glare protection, flaunts a leather-stitched-to-rubber bracelet, which is a phenomenal achievement as far as watch design goes. The dial colours, ranging from bright to pretty pastels, add to the personality of this atypical watch. Bubble is available in full, mid-size and mini versions for both men and women. The Bubble has found many takers, notably Justin Timberlake, Oprah Winfrey and Anthony Hopkins.

Unusual Bubbles
Jewels of India: This unique pair is inspired by the fabulous jewels of the Maharajah in India. The dials are crafted from 18-carat gold, enamelled 'grand feu' in green emerald colour with a motif of the 'arbre de vie' or 'tree of life' set with diamonds and rubies.

Corum Lucifer Bubble:
Lucifer is a shrewd commentary on the evil that's prevalent in the world today, and suggests that Corum and its clients are bold enough to face these demons. Very much in keeping with the mischievous spirit of Corum, Lucifer was introduced in a limited edition of 666 automatics and 666 chronographs.

Deepa Chatrath
Country Manager, Corum
India has seen a lot of watches enter the market in the recent past. What void is Corum planning to fill? Corum does not have regular square or round watches. It is known for its avant-garde designs, which are ahead of the times. We want to address customers who dare to be different. We will also target regular watch consumers and inspire them into thinking differently.

Bubble Joker:
The idea derives from a vintage card game that Wunderman found at an antique dealer's. The dial features the face of a joker or court jester with a cap complete with three bells and plays an alternating game of white, black and red based on the colours of playing cards. Choose from Bubble Automatic Joker and Bubble Chronograph Joker, each issued in special numbered editions of 777.

Bubble Jolly Rogers:
Inspired by Wunderman's fascination for death. He was quoted as saying, "I do not know whether there is another life after death, but I want to know everything about death and have read everything I can on the topic."

Jacques Wizman
President of Sales, Corum
Your watches seem to have a lot of colour and innovation in design. Is that deliberate? The watch industry, on the whole, is consistent, conservative, rather on the boring side. The only way to excite the consumer is to experiment with shapes, colours and concepts so the watch becomes a happy product. None of Corum's watches resemble those of other brands. There is an effort to make every watch a unique and exclusive piece with a target consumer in mind.

Bubble GMT:
This eye-catcher of a watch has a 'globe' dial and a second time zone function. A perfect watch for those wanting to travel to faraway lands.

Corum Casino Bubble:
This special edition features the lacquered dial of a roulette wheel with the second hand carrying a white ball that goes around endlessly as the time passes. May good luck be with you!