For years, Concord has been one of those brands that I have to confess that I had not paid much attention to. Oh, I knew Concord was respected, and I also was aware that they did some extremely fine complicated pieces (including minute repeaters and perpetual calendars) and used some great movements too (including Zenith’s “El Primero” caliber)…but for some reason, I just never got very excited.

That has all changed after this year’s Basel Fair, with the recent introduction of the very dynamic C1 Chronograph and C1 Big Date watches. As far as sports watches go, these have to be some of the most bold, eye-catching and well-executed since the advent of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore back in the 1990’s. Cynics may point out the Royal Oak influence in this watch but there is no mistaking that the Concord C1 has a lot of its own character. The complicated case design of the C1 watches are really striking, and I can’t get over how cool that fluted crown looks, to say nothing of the amazing multi-level carbon fiber and metal dial. Combine the smashing looks with the purpose bred technical construction (case design, 200M water resistance, movement, etc.) and this should be a sports watch with teeth. In other words, this looks to be a true sports watch that you should be able to wear doing just about anything your body can survive–not an empty creation of high fashion whose apparent “toughness” is only skin deep.

Suddenly, Concord has become very interesting to me!