Corum chairman Wunderman dies
June 30, 2008
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| Severin Wunderman. |
Nice,
France—Watch-industry icon and philanthropist
Severin Wunderman died of a severe stroke on June 25, while at his vacation home in Nice, France. He was 69.
Severin's watchmaking journey began in the 1960s in the United States. A chance encounter with Aldo Gucci shaped his destiny as he went on to merge Italian luxury design with Swiss watch-making precision under the Gucci timepieces label.
In 2000, Wunderman brought his daring and innovative designs to the Corum brand. He launched the "Bubble" collection made up of original timepieces and also re-launched the legendary Admiral's Cup and Romulus lines, giving them new identities and purpose.
Severin also had an affinity for art and culture, with a particular interest in the works of
Jean Cocteau. He created the Jean Cocteau Museum in Orange County, Calif., 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.
In addition, Severin was a philanthropist and humanitarian. He created The Severin Wunderman Family Foundation, which finances various charity and medical research programs throughout the world. He also 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.
Wunderman's commitment and contribution to culture and philanthropy throughout his life earned him the title of Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour, appointed by the President of the French Republic on Dec. 31, 2004.
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