René Bannwart, founding father of Corum, died at the age of 95 and was remembered in a tribute held in La Chaux-de-Fonds on Friday, January 15th.

Bannwart began his professional career at Patek Philippe in 1933 before joining Omega in 1940, where he established the first creative department and launched watch models which still today remain the talking pieces of the brand.

During his 15 years at Omega, he strengthened his expertise in watchmaking and with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a will to create his own watches, he founded Corum in 1955 with his uncle Gaston Ries. In 1958, he had his first success with the "Sans Heures" model where time was indicated only by the hands on the dial. In 1966, a new interpretation of this model is embodied within the Romvlvs model whose hours in Roman numerals are engraved on the bezel.

Bannwart is survived by his wife Grischka and his son Jean-René Bannwart.

JCK