Concord Announces New C1 Chronograph Watch

Concord has updated their C1 Chronograph range with a new look for 2013, and let's just say it looks... familiar. The new C1 retains the same 44mm footprint as the past models but the design as been massaged to be a bit more reserved, now featuring a slimmer crown, improved legibility, and a more ergonomic and curved case shape.

The C1 is powered by Concord's A07 movement which is based on the ETA Valgranges A07.211, a 25 jewel automatic movement with chrono seconds, sub dials for both 30 minutes and 12 hours and a date display - think of it as a Valjoux 7750 for larger watches. The C1's crystal is sapphire and the bezel is made from either titanium or ceramic, depending on the specific model.



If you only casually glanced at the photos, would you have guessed Concord? Me neither, as the overall design is distinctively that of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore. While I would agree with Concord that this new C1 is more attractive than the previous generation, that is because it looks like an arguably more attractive (and more famous) family of watches. From the large case size, to the octagonal bezel and textured dial design, the similarities are definitely noteworthy. Concord has yet to announce a price for the new C1 but plans on an official launch at BaselWorld this April.

Concord, a brand known for their eccentric designs, seems to have made an odd choice with this new C1. This reserved design is almost an autopilot move for a brand that brought us watches like the insane C1 Quantum Gravity, the very cool C1 BlackSpider LE, or even the previous generation C1 chronographs with their more boisterous and outgoing appeal. Like Lamborghini's cars and supersonic spy planes, some things are supposed to be crazy looking, it's a big part of what makes them cool. Here's hoping that this new C1 design is not indicative of a new direction for the entire C1 line, we like our Concord to be a bit less reserved, a bit more wild.