Text by Kien Lee | Photos by GreenPlasticSoldier
Haute horlogerie label Corum has partnered with renowned pianist Joachim Horsley to unveil a unique timepiece, at an exceptional show at the Folies Bergère in Paris held on 15 February. The location, a cabaret music hall, was established in 1869 and reached the heights of its fame and popularity through from the 1890s' Belle Époque era, all the way to the 1920s.
The occasion saw the launch of limited edition Golden Bridge made-to-measure by Corum in Joachim Horsley's honour, kicking off what is set to be a long term partnership between the two parties. It is the first time Corum's Golden Bridge has brought in elements from the music world, and reveals a larger set of plans by the watch manufacture to extend its collaborations beyond the realm of pure watchmaking.
Horsley recently went viral on social media with his reinterpretation of Beethoven's 7th symphony with a Cuban-inspired arrangement. His YouTube channel went on to receive a record-breaking number of times with 10 million views in six months – a feat unmatched by any other solo pianist.
"[Horsley's achievement] goes to show that one can break boundaries with a classical background while taking an audience to new, previously unexpected horizons," explains Jérôme Biard, CEO of Corum.
"At Corum, we are taking this same path in watchmaking. It was a natural partnership. It is an ode to creativity, to non-conformism, and to celebrating new possibilities."
The Golden Bridge Joachim Horsley will be the first Corum watch to feature a metallic decoration on its sapphire case back. On the caseback is an extract from the original score of Beethoven's 7th Symphony. The piece will be available in white gold and pink gold.
A unique presentation case by Reuge, has been especially designed to accompany the timepiece. This music box will play three of the melodies personally arranged by Joachim Horsley: compositions by Bach, Mahler and Beethoven reinterpreted as rumbas or with Cuban-inspired beats.
With this collaboration as a springboard, clients of Corum have the opportunity to personalise their own Golden Bridge based on the same model. Options include the choice of a different music score to decorate the metallic sapphire caseback, or even a motif, letters, or a coat of arms.
Following on from a number of very limited editions and one-off collaborations with artists, the La Chaux-de-Fonds brand is taking another step forward by offering collectors the possibility to create their own unique piece, and build that special connection with their Corum timepiece.
