One of the industry’s most idiosyncratic and eclectic watch brands there has ever been, since its establishment in 1955 Corum’s history is punctuated with radical and daring collections; often zany, sometimes a required taste, yet with a style which has never been far from the pulse of design loving, fashionista trendsetters. But none which have preceded it could ever stand out from the crowd quite like the wonderful Bubble, with its exaggerated features, huge domed sapphire crystal, and curvaceous rounded case.

There’s just no hiding the Corum Bubble watch, but then why would anyone want to? Unmistakable in its design, extroverted in its personality and fusing the serious business of watchmaking with an unabashed sense of fun and frivolity, it became an instant classic when it was launched at the start of the new millennium, gaining cult status before production ended in 2005. Reborn in 2015, it’s good to see that little has changed. 

Shaped like a comic strip space ship, and topped off with the most outrageous sapphire crystal ever used on a production wristwatch the Bubble 47 Poker Game is the perfect accessory for the stylish gambling man; its dial portraying a dealt hand of cards, spelling out the brand’s name against a green background, although so thick is the dome of sapphire crystal that it’s only from directly above that the dial is not distorted in some way, and even then the plump red skeletonised hands are magnified, and together the elements combine to creating a cool optical play as the watch moves with the wrist. 

Encased in a 47mm case of black PVD coated stainless steel, the contours of the Bubble 47 Poker Game are smooth and continuous; almost irresistible to the occasional subconscious fingertip caress. The big round crown needs a tactile O-ring of black rubber for grip. Curving lugs and a case-hugging black rubber strap contribute to making the watch sit comfortably on the wrist, despite its exuberant proportions. And being rated to 100m water resistance, it’s ready to get wet too.

Through the sapphire exhibition case back the rotor, whose constant spinning energises the self-winding CO 082 movement, is decorated with the Corum motif. Beating at 28,800 vph, it is good for forty-two hours of power reserve.

The Corum Big Bubble 47 Poker Game is presented on a black rubber strap with the Corum key motif accented in red, and it is secured to the wrist with a robust pin buckle.