Death of Severin Wunderman
Nice, 25th June 2008, Severin Wunderman died at the age of 69 at his vacation home in Nice resulting from a severe stroke. The owner of Corum since 2000, he revitalized and reestablished the Corum Brand with his creativity and ingenuity. Mr Wunderman was a man of the Arts and Culture whose personality and charisma influenced his innovative designs which elevated him to an Icon in the watchmaking industry.
Severin Wunderman’s watchmaking journey began in the 1960’s in the United States where he rapidly developed his keen business acumen. His chance encounter with Aldo Gucci shaped his destiny as he went on to become the innovative entrepreneur who merged together Italian Luxury Design with Swiss Watch making precision under the label Gucci Timepieces. During Severin Wunderman’s 25-year association with Gucci, the company sold millions of watches throughout the world.
Always on the look-out for new challenges, he bought Corum in 2000 creating the dawn of a new era. As Chairman, he brought to the Corum brand, already established since 1955, his daring and innovative designs that would once again prove successful. Severin Wunderman launched a new Bubble collection made up of original designs, by bringing his contemporary vision of the classic watchmaking universe. He also re-launched the legendary Admiral’s Cup and Romulus lines giving them new identities and purpose.
The Wunderman Family and the dedicated Corum employees throughout the world will honor Mr Wunderman by continuing and completing his mission to make Corum the most prestigious luxury watch company in the world.
He had an affinity for the world of art and culture with a particular interest in the works of Jean Cocteau. Over the years, his artistic sense became more developed and he added to his collection works by major masters of the XVIIth, XVIIIth, XIXth and XXth centuries. As a patron of the arts, he created the Jean Cocteau Museum in Orange County, California, and is one of the major contributors to the Museum of Menton which opens its doors in 2010 and holds 1,200 works by Cocteau contributed by Severin Wunderman.
In parallel to his artistic activities, he expressed his philanthropic and humanitarian self by creating The Severin Wunderman Family Foundation which finances various charity and medical research programs throughout the world. Additionally, he financed The Severin Wunderman Collection of Child Survivor Testimonies from the Holocaust: The Children Speak to Children Program at the Shoah Foundation created by Steven Spielberg.
Severin Wunderman’s commitment and contribution to culture and philanthropy throughout his life earned him the respect and recognition of Cocteau’s country of origin. On 31 December 2004, he was appointed Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour by the President of the French Republic. ■
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