The Swiss watchmaker Concord, which is known for its uncompromising, even hard-core approach to industrial design, has recently presented its new Concord C2 Chronograph Black & White family. Featuring a lot more subdued design (in this respect, the new line reminds me of their C2 Chronograph Matte-Black model that was revealed earlier this year) and offered in two variations, the watches are supposed to be bought in pairs: for you and your Mr. Hyde.
…Or your Mrs. Hyde, for that matters, since, despite the fact that the ref. 0320186 is coming in a rather large stainless steel body whole 43 millimeters in width, the watch is offered by the Swiss-based watchmaker as a unisex model (or so could be inferred from Concord’s dramatic press release that I don’t care to re-post in this rather brief review.)
Judging by the official photos that we received, both versions are almost identical to each other with the only difference being the color of the diamonds that adorn their relatively thin fixed bezels. Of course, the color of the genuine alligator leather strap, which is attached to the case with its signature lug-free tubular attachments, is also different. Depending on your choice of diamonds, the band may be either black or white.
By the way, the strap -although it looks absolutely gorgeous, I’ll give you that- or, rather, the way it is attached to the stainless steel body of the chronograph, is the gadget’s weakest point that may make owning the piece not as hassle-free as one might have expected: try to buy an aftermarket part manufactured by any brand other than Concord itself, and you are in a world of a consumer’s pain.
When it comes to the shape of the body and the dial configuration, the watch is pretty much identical to the previously revealed C2 chronographs with the basic layout dictated by the choice of the movement that powers the device.
With its standard tri-compax chronograph layout, the watch features a 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph counters at 9 and 6 hours and a small seconds sub-dial at 3 o’clock. The easily readable date indicator shares its space with the 12-hour totalizer staying closer to the bezel flange.
As usual, the main elements of the dial (namely, the hours and minutes hands, as well as the small triangle that forms the subsidiary seconds hand indicator, and the hour markers) are covered with Superluminova luminous substance that makes it especially easy to read time during a sleepless night.
Inside the sporty case beats the good old ETA 2894 automatic chronograph movement, which is known for its high reliability and easy serviceability.
However, I feel obliged to warn you that this is not a natural-born chronograph movement like the legendary ETA Valjoux 7750. Introduced more than 15 years ago by the Swatch Group as a source of power for relatively inexpensive watches, the movement is, in fact, the well-known ETA 2892 with a chronograph module riding atop it.
Concord plans to officially present the timepiece next month during the Baselworld 2012 trade show and if their previous product launches are of any indication, the C2 Chronograph Black & White will go on sale somewhere in October or November of this year.
See also: Bell & Ross Vintage Original BR 126 Black Officer Chronograph
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
Photos: Concord
Concord C2 Chronograph Black & White 0320186 specification
Price: €7900
Movement: Automatic, Caliber ETA 2894, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 37
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Functions: Hours, minutes, date, chronograph
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case and Crown: Stainless steel
Bezel: Stainless steel, set with black or white diamonds
Shape: Tonneau
Bezel shape: Round
Size: 43.00 mm
Case height: 13.00 mm
Dial: White
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Luminous, open-worked
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Black or white alligator strap
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Solid, engraved