The sporty C1 Chronograph family was seriously refreshed earlier this year with the styling of their dials more congruent with that of their prominent cases.
Now, Concord introduces yet another version. Combining mirror-polished 18-karat rose gold, glossy black ceramics, as well as PVD-treated, high-grade titanium alloy, the 2013 Concord C1 Chronograph Black & Gold 0320227 is similar to Porsche 911 GT3 in its versatility: just like the latter can be used both on a track and as a daily commuter, you can wear the former both during office hours and in a night club.
Like the other members of the range, the C1 Chronograph Black & Gold (Ref. 0320227) arrives in an octagonal body, which is decorated with its signature sporty bezel.
While in the earlier iterations, the eight rubber “bumps” on the bezel served to protect the timekeeper from an occasional ding, the rose gold “cubes” secured to the black polished ceramic bezel are here mostly for decorative purposes: they are supposed to give the glossy bezel more depth while making the timekeeper as a whole even more entertaining to look at.
Still, I must admit that they actually serve their new purpose well, since, together with a rose gold setting crown and ceramic chronograph push-pieces, the watch creates a strong impression, which makes it an adequate competitor to the famous Hublot Big-Bang family.
To make the impression even stronger, Concord’s designers equipped the new C1 with a black rubberized alligator strap, which is sewn to sweat-proof rubber lining and is attached to the generously proportioned 47 mm body with four black PVD-treated and polished screws (two on each side).
Equipped with relatively new ETA Valgranges A07.211 automatic caliber (Concord used the mechanism in their other models, including the bedazzling Concord C1 Chronograph Amethyst that was introduced two years ago, and you have probably seen it inside the stealthy Hamilton RailRoad Chronograph that was first presented three years ago), the watch sports the usual dial layout with a small seconds display located at 9 hours and the 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph counters placed at 12 and 6 o’clock respectively (all three sub-dials feature the same rose gold octagonal rims, a nice touch).
Another impressive detail about the dial is the date aperture, which is decorated with a square-shaped “C” letter, also done in rose gold.
The movement itself is, too, nicely decorated sporting signature Geneva Stripes on its bridges and an oscillating weight with the latter additionally decorated with a “C1” cutout and a black PVD coating.
Of course, like many watches in this category, the Concord C1 Chronograph Black & Gold (Ref. 0320227) is not particularly thin measuring more than 15 millimeters in height. Still, the watch is not too thick to be worn with normal shirts.
See also: Ulysse Nardin Sonata Streamline in Titanium 675-00
WWR Verdict
Originality 4/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Overall Legibility: 4.5/5
Nighttime Legibility: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Photos: Concord
Concord C1 Chronograph Black & Gold 0320227 specification
Movement: Automatic, caliber ETA Valgranges A07.211, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 25
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 48 hours
Movement decoration: Snailed bevel oscillating weight, vertical Geneva Stripes, “C1” cutout, black PVD coating on the rotor
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph, tachymeter
Case: Titanium and 18-karat rose gold
Bezel: Black ceramic
Crown: Rose gold
Shape: Octagonal
Bezel shape: Round
Size: 47.00 mm
Case height: 15.10 mm
Dial: Black
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Luminous
Water resistance: 200 meters
Strap: Black rubberized alligator strap with rubber lining on black PVD-treated deployment buckle in Grade 5 titanium
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective on both sides, 2.00 mm thick
Back: Sapphire