Corum Admiral’s Cup Legend 42 Chronograph automatic man’s watch, with beige painted dial and galvanic grey hands and indices in grey PVD stainless steel case with transparent exhibition caseback.

Stylish, sporty and cool: in one form or another, the Admiral’s Cup from Corum has maintained an almost constant presence within the brand’s collection over the years. Evolving in synch with changing times and fashions, its dodecagonal bezel and nautical pennant numerals have helped to define the Admiral’s Cup range. Indeed, few watch brands can claim to have in their stable a piece which is so clearly recognisable at fifty paces.

The Admiral’s Cup Legend 42 Chronograph is a very good-looking piece, with its charcoal PVD coated stainless steel case striking up an unusual but highly effective contrast with the painted milky beige dial. Set off on a durable grey fabric strap it possesses a distinctly sporty character and is an ideal complement to casual attire.

Beneath the sapphire crystal, the nautical pennant numerals are printed in silhouette onto the sloping rehaut around the twelve-sided dial. Applied galvanic hour markers and partially skeletonised hands with beige Super LumiNova tip sections give the entire watch a chilled two-tone colouration.

On the case the crown screws in securely between a pair of protective shoulders which almost completely conceal it, and either side of them, the chronograph pushers feel reassuringly solid as they activate, stop or reset. Subdials at the 6 and the 9 display the chrono 12-hour and 30-minute counters respectively. Constant small seconds are at the 3, with the date window just below.

A brand more commonly associated with setting standards rather than following them, since its foundation in La Chaux-de-Fonds in1955, Corum have been synonymous with daring, avant garde, even flamboyant styling. Always eyecatching and often surprising, Corum have acquired an almost cult status among collectors who prefer something different to the mainstream, yet who take quality, workmanship and individuality very seriously.