CONCORD - A New Code

Concord continues the C1 concept under the direction of Marc Michel-Amadry and Loek Oprinsen, who are also responsible for Ebel as co-presidents.

WORLDTEMPUS - 22 March 2010

Roberta Naas

It was only three years ago that Concord unveiled its “reinvented” self. The brand—which to that point had been suffering a far too diversified personality—underwent an overall overhaul. The result was the C1 concept, a pedigreed luxury lineage brand with an audacity that shocked the watch world. The bold, emblematic C1 had visitors to Baselworld 2007 whispering about how long “THAT” watch could exist with its singular look. 

C1 Code © Concorde

Three years down the road, that look has translated to an amazing collection of extensions that range from the eccentric C1 Gravity Tourbillon to the more earth-rooted Bi-Retrograde and Big Date models.

“We have so much energy and excitement about the brand, and the C1 concept as a luxury product, and now we want to be stronger with our retail partners so they can translate that energy and succeed,” says Marc Michel-Amadry, recently appointed co-president and creative director for Ebel and Concord. “To do this we are continuing to offer creative C1 product and exclusivity in distribution.”

Indeed the newest watches unveiled here at Baselworld 2010 include the C1 CODE, created in a limited edition of just 25 pieces. The CODE is a graphic, avant-garde chronograph designed to reflect the DNA of the brand. Each watch retailing for $14,500 features a crystal engraved with an algebraic formula meant to express the structural complexity of the timepiece. The C1 CODE houses a C.O.S.C.-certified automatic ETA Valgranges movement with 48 hours of power reserve. It is crafted in PVD-treated stainless steel and is water-resistant to 200 meters.

© Concord

“It is so rare that we can guarantee your neighbor won’t own it,” says Michel-Amadry. “It demonstrates our versatility not only in materials, but also in ideas and concepts.”

Also new this year is another exceptional C1 Gravity Tourbillon fully paved with baguette diamonds. It retails for 1.6 million Swiss francs. This one-of-a-kind piece boasts more than 24 carats of diamonds and, as Michel-Amadry puts it, brings the adventures of C1 to the next level.

Concord’s C1 CODE is a limited edition chronograph introduced at Baselworld 2010 © Concord