Swiss Watches
In a couple of weeks, the Swiss luxury watchmaker will start selling its new Concord C2 Chronograph (Refs. SKU 0320141 / 0320138) automatic watch. While the timekeeper doesn’t look as outrageous as some of their other models that were introduced during the last couple of years, I would say that the more subdued design language that this new gadget speaks is potentially more commercially successful given that the wristwatch seems to primarily target a mass market where most customers simply need an accurate and well-made dressy watch that would also look good with formal attire. Of that, the new C2 Chronograph delivers plenty.
Designed in a somewhat intimidating all-black or red and black color scheme, the watch is presented in a compact (for a sporty timepiece,) yet rugged-looking body. Crafted from black PVD-treated stainless steel and featuring Royal Oak Offshore-style rectangular chronograph pushers, the case of the watch is only 43 mm wide and is less than 13 millimeters thick.
While many watchmakers tend to artificially increase thickness of their timekeepers in order to make their design “more substantial” and “bolder,” Concord seems to have early noticed the emerging trend that goes in exactly opposite direction: watches just started to get smaller and thinner with every new generation.
Complying with the new trend, Concord made their new C2 collection even a tad smaller than their older C1 family.
Compared to the latter, the new Concord C2 offers more elaborated and at the same time also more mainstream design.
While the C1 looked absolutely unique with its eight rubber crystal protectors and a huge setting crown that looked like it was salvaged from a destroyed T-800 cyborg, the new addition to the collection of sports watches seems to offer more plain, less daring design.
In fact, the C2 may very well become a source of constant deja vus for your friends and relatives.
Powered by the self-winding ETA 2894-2 ebauche, this watch offers all the usual chronograph functionality with a couple of chronograph totalizers; a central chronograph seconds hand, as well as a radar-style subsidiary seconds indicator at 3 hours.
As usual, the chronograph is operated with a pair of rubber push-pieces at 2 and 4 o’clock.
According to Concord’s official press release, the watch is offered in two versions that differ only in colors of the subsidiary seconds indicator’s tip and the color scheme of the wristband, which is made from vulcanized rubber.
Although the timekeeper was first officially presented at this year’s Baselworld international trade show, it will go on sale in October 2011, but that is sort of normal for most Swiss-based watchmaking brands.
WWR Verdict
Originality 4.5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Overall Legibility: 4/5
Nighttime Legibility: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4/5
See also: Concord C1 BlackSpider LAB Series Tourbillon
UPDATE: Concord’s spokeperson has just replied to our email request regarding the timekeeper’s price. The watch will have an MSRP of CHF 5900, which roughly converts to $6600 USD at today’s exchange rate. Not bad for a brand that is often associated with ultra-expensive models like, for example, this Concord C1 Chronograph Amethyst that bears a price sticker that will make you scream in dispair.
Photos: Concord
Concord C2 Chronograph Matte-Black (Ref. SKU 0320141 / 0320138) automatic watch specification
Price: CHF 5900
Movement: Automatic, ETA 2894, 37 jewels, Swiss Made
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Movement decoration: N/A
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case material: Black PVD stainless steel
Bezel material: Matches case
Crown material: Matches case
Case shape: Octagonal
Bezel shape: Round
Case size: 43.00 mm
Lug width: No data
Case height: 12.75 mm
Dial: Black
Numerals: None
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Steel, luminous
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Black vulcanized rubber wrist band with tubular horizontal attachments and a triple-blade butterfly clasp in black PVD steel
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective, 2.00 mm thick
Case back: Screw-in case back with Concord C2 logo