Concord Watches

Concord: Quartz Power Plays, 80s Flash, and a Few Forgotten Icons

Let’s talk Concord — a brand that, depending on when you started collecting, either reminds you of executive-level flex in the 1980s… or makes you say, “Wait, didn’t they make that watch with the see-through dial?”

And both are true.

Concord was once the high-end watch brand for Wall Street titans, private jet owners, and anyone who wanted gold, diamonds, and prestige without going full Rolex. For a while, they were killing it. And then? They sort of… disappeared.

But dig into their archives, and you’ll find some cool vintage dress watches, a few serious oddball pieces, and more than one model that deserves a second look.

Brand History: Madison Avenue Chic Meets Swiss Quartz Muscle

Concord was founded in 1908 in Biel, Switzerland, and built a reputation as a maker of fine gold timepieces — particularly for the U.S. market. But it wasn’t until the 1970s and ‘80s that they hit their stride.

During the Quartz Crisis, while Swiss brands were panicking or pivoting, Concord said: “Let’s embrace it — and make it luxury.” What followed was a string of ultra-slim, quartz-powered, precious metal watches that became staples of high-powered boardrooms.

The brand hit peak visibility in the 1980s–1990s, with watches like the Delirium and Mariner becoming synonymous with status and success.

They later tried to pivot into haute horology with avant-garde releases like the C1, but never quite stuck the landing.

Still — vintage Concord is worth knowing. And for the right collector? There are real gems buried in the catalog.

Collector Highlights: Slim Cases, Strange Shapes, and Forgotten Greats

  • Concord Delirium – Once the world’s thinnest watch (1.98mm total thickness!). Quartz, yes — but an engineering flex and a design icon.

  • Concord Mariner – Integrated-bracelet sport/dress watch hybrid that predates the Royal Oak craze. Sharp, slim, with real throwback charm.

  • Concord Saratoga – A more refined, high-polished take on the integrated bracelet look. Very '80s power player energy.

  • Concord La Scala / Impresario – Dressy quartz and auto pieces with Roman numerals, thin profiles, and diamond options — especially popular in the preowned women's market.

  • Concord C1 Chronograph – A wild, overbuilt, modern experiment from the late 2000s. Giant case, layered dial, industrial styling. Not for the faint of wrist.

Most pieces are quartz, especially vintage — but ETA automatics do show up, particularly in the later Saratoga and La Scala models.

Why Collectors Should Care

  • True 1980s luxury icon – Worn by executives, celebrities, and power players before the internet existed.

  • Interesting design legacy – Delirium and Mariner paved the way for ultra-thin and integrated-bracelet design language.

  • Strong pre-owned value – Many pieces are under-the-radar steals with real build quality.

  • Conversation starters – Wear a Delirium or C1 and you will get questions.

  • Jewelry-watch crossover appeal – Great for collectors looking for unique dress pieces, especially in gold.

Concord might not be in the spotlight today, but the brand played a real part in the quartz-era luxury boom — and its designs still hold up in the right context.

What They’re Doing Now: Mostly Quiet… But Not Dead

These days, Concord isn’t making much noise. After their high-profile push with the C1 line fizzled out, they pulled back production — hard.

Today, the brand is owned by the Movado Group, and while new models do trickle out, the focus is squarely on legacy models and niche markets.

What that means for you? Pre-owned is where the real action is.

Especially if you’re hunting:

  • A gold or two-tone ultra-thin dress watch

  • A quartz piece with integrated bracelet flair

  • A collector-grade oddball like the Delirium or Mariner

  • Something flashy but tasteful from the ‘80s/’90s era

You’ll find them — and for far less than they’d cost if they had a different logo on the dial.

Fed’s Take

Concord is one of those brands that casual collectors ignore — and real collectors quietly scoop up when no one’s watching.

I’ve seen vintage Deliriums that look like they belong in a design museum. I’ve handled old Mariners that wear better than some modern Royal Oak clones. And the Saratoga? That bracelet’s still one of the best-kept secrets in neo-vintage collecting.

Sure, most of it’s quartz. But if you care more about design, history, and vibe than movement specs, Concord is absolutely worth exploring.

And if you want to wear something no one else in the room has? Even better.

Power Moves, Under the Radar

You don’t need to spend a fortune to wear something with history, design integrity, and genuine wrist presence. Concord proves it.

Delray Watch has a rotating selection of pre-owned Concord watches — pieces you won’t find sitting in mall boutiques or flexing on billboards.

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