Concord RE-Launches the Mariner

Baselworld 2014 marks an  historic milestone for Concord - the reintroduction of the Mariner.  Historic - since it seems Concord has a serious change of heart in regard to its older collections.  When Concord recently relaunched the Saratoga, I thought this sudden nostalgia was a once off deal, but a second relaunch proves Concord has renewed faith in its past.  Although the C1's , 2s  and Clabs are still quite hot, a brand of this size comprised entirely of one idea has limitations. The C hype has faded.  Its been five years ago since the Baselworld 2009 release of the QuantumGravity Tourbillon. An entire company - HYT - started by former Concord CEO Vincent Perriard - was built on its hydro mechanical concept.  

 Even though I blogged quite a bit about the C models - I could not fathom how a company could throw away all its previous and well loved collections.  I was terribly sad to see the production of Deliriums and La Scalas stopped.  La Scala is actually one of my favorite Ladies Watch.  The Delirium's and La Scala's ,still available on Ebay and on quite a few watch sites, have not lost their place in the watch world.  I personally think there is a definite market for new models of  old collections.
It seems Movado Group. owned Concord has finally realized that the C collections ,no matter how cutting edge and cool, is not enough for Concord.

 Of course the newer models of old collections are modernized.  In the words of Concord..
"This Iconic Collection has been updated to reflect a modern and beautiful sense of style"

The Mariner Collection is supposed to evoke an "ahoy there" feel; even engraved with the wind-rose logo on the case back. However, I think the watch collection can stand on its own as a really elegant  sporty timepiece without the Nautical nuances.
The mens 41mm models  have a really great automatic Sellita movement, beneath an engaging anthracite dial and housed in a stainless steel case.  A ETA quartz movement lies beneath a silver-toned dial. The watches are only water resistant to 50 meters which is not really ideal for waterways. The indices and hands are Rhodium plated and treated with Superluminova. 

The white mother of pearl dial upon the  30mm ladies timepiece is punctuated by 12 diamonds. A stainless steel case houses an ETA quartz movement.  An Anti-reflective treatment is applied to the scratch resistant sapphire crystal enabling read-out at high noon.

One collection I am eager to welcome is the Concord Delirium.
I suppose we will just have to wait and see.

Concord C2 Chronograph. Concord's Coolest Collection Yet.

Concord, owned by Movado Group, has finally found the balance between over-the-top futuristic watches and plain boring outdated watches with its brand new new C2 collection.  Don't get me wrong, I think Concord Delirium's, Saratoga's and La Scala's  definitely had a place in the 20th century, but style's change and the world moves on.  On the flip side I think the C1 models ,such as the highly publicized Concord C1 QuantumGravity Tourbillon Watch (see inset left below), born from the new improved Concord Company was a daring adventurous leap from the super slim seriously elegant Deliriums and such. The C1's are bold rugged powerful timepieces built to impress; however, due to the large merging sub dials, the dial seems a bit cluttered and difficult to read.

C1 QuantumGravity Tourbillon

  However looking at the C2, I feel the C2 is definitely a leap in the right direction. Concord has softened the C2 making the lines slightly more fluid and shrinking the sub dials, thus increasing the readability of the dial while maintaining the bold presence of the timepiece without being too overbearing.  The use of a matt black finish adds an elegant simplicity while exuding a sense of powerful resilience.  The entire look of the 43 mm black PVD-treated stainless steel watch whispers unhindered speed and powerful precision.  An ETA 2894-2 automatic mechanical movement powers the watch.  An alluring  red-accented black vulcanized rubber strap promises extreme comfort as it is attached directly to the watch case without the use of lugs or pins.  A folding clasp crafted from black PVD-treated stainless steel securely fastens the Concord C2 to the wrist.  In addition C2 is proudly emblazoned on the case back in no uncertain terms.

Concord has balanced this watch very well. I have a feeling the C2 Chronograph will do very well. Looking forward to see this watch on the market costing $6,500 for the black PVD case and a bit under $6,000 for the stainless steel case. This watch is less expensive than its forerunner - the C1 Collection.

Its a bird! Its a plane! No its Concord C1 QuantumGravity Tourbillon Watch.

Phew, my imagination is reaching beyond the limits of the outer galactic disk from planetary nebulae. Some Sci Fi mind is definitely at work behind the curtains of Concord. The uncanny resemblance to a space ship is remarkable, and the wait to see this "out-of-this-world" timepiece is just a couple of days away. The Concord C1 QuantumGravity Tourbillon will be unveiled

in BaselWorld from March 26th- April 2, 2009. The exact docking location will be in Hall 1.0/D03. Please excuse any Sci Fi references that filter through, I cannot seem to help myself.

The remarkable sand blasted skeletonized Gravity dial drew inspiration from space exploration. The titanium case is
48.5 mm in diameter and a almost canyon like 22mm in depth. Potentially this watch could turn to be quite bulky to wear, but this is avoided by the highly flexible rubber strap and the super lightweight metals, titanium and aluminum.


The first thing one notices about this manually wound Concord C104 movement is the "green stuff" in a cylinder. It almost looks like a wacky scientist experiment that could explode at a moments notice. In actual fact this liquid is the three day power reserve, a far cry from the traditional dial. Nothing boring or traditional about this baby. The cylinder operates on a pressure system whereby the green-stuff (actually photo-luminescent green liquid) rises and falls in proportion to the amount of power left in the main spring.

As depicted in the image adjacent to this text, a "Quantum Tourbillon" is visible, suspended via cables and attached to a bridge. The bi-axial motion is visible through the dial so that one may perceive the horizontal and vertical movement of the Tourbillon. A Tourbillon was initially invented in 1795 by French watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet,to reduce the effect gravity has on a pocket watch. I have a feeling the Tourbillon in this watch is to increase its out of this world experience.
In order to enjoy all the superb complication, the Concord C1 Quantum Gravity Tourbillon has no less than 5 separate Sapphire Crystals, so that nothing misses the eye.

Other unique features are scattered throughout the watch like the seconds hand which is placed vertically on the side of the watch. The crown is hidden probably at the 2 'o'clock position, but it is on to BaselWorld where the hidden crown shall be revieled. Now the great aspect about this watch is the decision by the watchmakers to make the dial, traditional and simple. If the dial would have been complicated mechanisms like the Urwerks (which I truly love), it would have been too much.
Built from 511 parts and countless of hours in research, development and crafting, this watch is a fascinating plethora of unique components as well as exuding a distinct Sci Fi feel which will attract many watch enthusiasts who relish in high tech luxury mechanical timepieces .

Art Deco inspired Luxury Watches

In 1997 Concord unveiled its 18 gold La Scala collection, perfectly geometric- an art deco inspiration. Jaeger- LeCoultre's Reverso Grande Taille utilizes pure geometric shapes an art deco icon.


Art Deco swept through a changing era: old Victorian petticoats were flung away for a modern streamlined form. Women cut their hair, hemmed their skirts and skipped away from prohibitions. It was the roaring twenties. Lines were straight, mathematical and geometric. Products were made with the consumer in mind, aerodynamic cars and boats, sleek with sharp pristine angles. The heavy frills made way for clear lines. In the United States, Art Deco influenced building architecture (The Chrysler Building), cars, fashion, furniture, subway stations, jewelry and watches. Watches of the 1920's an 30's were mathematically geometric in design, and drew inspiration from modern clean cut shapes. Art Deco was more than just an art it was an entire movement lasting from 1925 to 1939, sandwiched between two world wars.

Art Deco was advertised in 1925 as the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Moderns (the International Exhibit of Decorative Arts and Modern Industries), in Paris, the worlds most influential artists and designers met to share their visions of design for the future. The event basked in international attention, it was "the event" promoting the evolution of design. Culminating from this movement was the Art Deco, then known as Style Moderne and in 1968 coined Art Deco. Today Art Deco is sometimes referred to as retro modern or vintage modern. "Retro" is a Latin Prefix meaning "backward" or in "past times", the modern of the then, the modern of the twenties. Whatever the term used, the look is still refreshingly edgy and undoubtedly modern.

A Luxury Watch in your Jewerly box.

There are many Glittering Luxury Watches that fulfill the role of jewelry. That are jewerly. A prime example is the Joallerie 101 Manchette, a slender watch from Jaeger LeCoultre. Yes Watch! If you look closely, you will see the Joaillerie 101 Manchette with it silver colored dial and sapphire crystal. The watch ,although small, can hold its own, it uses the mechanically wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 101 movement. The watch is available with either 576 diamonds or 11 onyx cabochons. The price? Jaeger-LeCoutre has not name a price for this watch as of yet. It is popping up in various places as being one of the worlds most expensive watches in the Current Luxury Watch market. However, if this type of watch appeals to you, do not panic.


The Corum Debutante Ladies' Watch is the perfect evening watch for the perfect evening. Its mother of pearl dial shimmers against the elegant diamond encrusted bezel. No other piece of jewelry is required on the wrist wearing this watch. The feature I love about this watch is that it is four watches in one. This watch comes with four alternate stainless steel bangles :diamonds; 74 peridots; 74 blue topaz and 74 pink topaz. So whatever your mood, or the color of your dress; you will have a choice. A Precise quartz movement means that it will run from event to event.



Audemars Piguet Facettes Ladies' Watch is deliciously smothered in 890 diamonds; beneath the diamonds rests 18K white gold. The watch simply breathes elegance and taste. A piece of watch jewelry like this will not go unnoticed. This watch will not take the spotlight away from the wearer, it will add to it.







A watch for a bride. Chopard Casmir Ladies' Watch nestles among luscious creamy pearls. When purchasing this watch, you can be assured, this watch will become a family heirloom to past from mother to daughter. I like this watch as it represents a gentle sense of femininity and elegance.



Rado Esenza for the woman who knows what she wants and means to get it. A serious watch. A Watch with a sharp conrast and stark edges: Black Dial, Diamond Bezel and Black leather strap. This watch is perfect for that formal function one must attend.







Concord Soiree Ladies' Watch is a perfect gift for the dashing fiancée to give to his bride. The shape of the watch and its open bracelet loops, suggest infinity. Infinite is the love of two people who give each other the hand in marriage. Am I going a bit mushy, I suppose I am, but it is the effect this gorgeous watch has on me.









I was about to end my post; however , I felt this posting would not be complete without an Ebel Beluga watch. 18K gold and mother of pearl dial, this luxury watch whispers sensuality.The mother of pearl dial softens the color of gold. The Ebel Beluga watch will suit any women, no matter the age or style. The Ebel Beluga is a watch that can be an integral part of a women's persona, never leaving her wrist. This watch will be the constant piece of jewelry on a womens wrist when no other jewelry is needed.