Founded in 1955, Corum has left the Chinese-Hong Kong company City Champ Watch & Jewelry Group, after 12 years of ownership, and is returning to Swiss ownership. The management buyout was led by 32-year-old Sales Director Haso Mehmedovic, who is now the new CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, and aims to restore the iconic Corum brand to its former glory. A global relaunch is also planned for 2026.
Text by Rüdiger Bucher
[Article published on January 15, 2025]
Acquisition by a team led by Sales Director Haso Mehmedovic
After 12 years under the ownership of a Chinese and Hong Kong company, Corum is back under Swiss ownership. Founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1955, the brand is at a turning point as it approaches its 70th anniversary.
Corum's long-standing ownership of the Hong Kong-based City Champ Watch & Jewelry Group has come to an end, and the brand is now back to 100% Swiss ownership through a management buyout led by Sales Director Haso Mehmedovic and backed by several Swiss investors.
New CEO Haso Mehmedovic
Though only 32 years old, Mehmedovic is already something of a veteran at Corum. He joined the company in 2011 as a young watchmaker, then worked his way up through sales, eventually becoming sales director. Now, he's leading the brand as CEO and Chairman of the Board. This is good news for Corum and its fans. Known for its creative products, the brand has the potential to regain its former market position.
Some of Corum's iconic models include the Golden Bridge, which features a rod-shaped movement designed by Vincent Calabrese, the Bubble, which was released around 2000 by former owner Severin Wunderman, the popular Admiral, and the coin watch, which uses a 20 US dollar gold coin, the Double Eagle, as its dial.
Corum has been somewhat quiet in recent years, but in late summer 2024 it attracted attention again with the release of the unique piece "Golden Bridge Serpent."
Plans to relaunch the brand in 2026
The City Champ Group will continue to own the Swiss watch brand Eterna, but the sale of Corum will not affect this structure.
Mehmedovic sees 2025 as a transitional period for the brand, and is not planning any major celebrations for the 70th anniversary. Instead, the brand is scheduled to relaunch globally in mid-2026.
