Concord
Movado Group · Switzerland
Concord is a Swiss watch brand founded in Biel in 1908 and today part of the Movado Group. It is known for ultra thin watches such as the Delirium and for its oversized C Series luxury sports watches.
| Founded | 1908, Biel, Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Parent group | Movado Group |
| Signature models | Delirium, Centurion, C1 |
| Award | GPHG best design 2008 (C1 Gravity Tourbillon) |
| Website | concord.com |
What is Concord?
Concord is a Swiss watch brand founded in Biel in 1908. From the start it designed watches with the American market in mind. It is now a subsidiary of the Movado Group, which also produces Movado and Ebel watches as well as licensed watches for Coach and Hugo Boss.
History
In 1970 Concord was acquired by the North American Watch Company, which also distributed Piaget and Corum. That company bought Movado in 1984 and renamed itself Movado in 1996. In 1979 Concord introduced the Delirium, at 1.98 mm described as the thinnest watch of its time, followed by an even thinner Delirium 2 at 1.5 mm, and the ultra thin Centurion sports watch. Earlier collections included La Costa, Mariner, La Scala and Saratoga. Alex Grinberg was appointed worldwide chief executive in 2009.
Products and positioning
Since 2007 the collection has been built around the C Series, oversized luxury sports watches comprising the C1 and C2 lines. The C1 Worldtimer and the C1 Gravity Tourbillon followed in 2008, and the Gravity Tourbillon won the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève prize for best design that year.
Why it matters
Concord is a case study in repositioning a heritage Swiss name inside a listed watch group, moving from record breaking thinness in the late 1970s to bold, high end sports designs.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Concord from?
Concord is a Swiss watch brand founded in Biel, Switzerland, in 1908.
Who owns Concord watches?
Concord is a subsidiary of the Movado Group, which acquired it in 1970 under its former name, the North American Watch Company.