Vintage Concord Quartz Tank-Style Dress Watch
Dress Watch · Concord (owned by Movado Group Inc.). In the late 70s and 80s, Concord was a high-tier luxury brand famous for producing the thinnest watches in the world.
Period: Quartz Revolution Era / Late 1970s - early 1980s. The design features a minimalist, rectangular aesthetic influenced by the Piaget Altiplano and Cartier Tank, utilizing the then-innovative quartz technology.
Type
Dress Watch
Brand
Concord (owned by Movado Group Inc.). In the late 70s and 80s, Concord was a high-tier luxury brand famous for producing the thinnest watches in the world.
Movement
Swiss Quartz. Likely a thin ETA-based quartz caliber or an early Concord-produced movement from the 'Delirium' era. 0-jewel or low-jewel count.
Dimensions
Case diameter: 22mm - 24mm (width); Thickness: 5mm - 7mm; Lug-to-lug: 30mm - 32mm; Lug width: 14mm - 16mm. This is a small, traditional unisex or ladies' size by modern standards.
Description
This Concord Quartz exemplifies the 'ultra-thin' craze of the late 20th century. While currently in poor condition, the design language is sophisticated, utilizing a 'circle-in-a-square' dial geometry that was highly fashionable in executive circles during the early 1980s. It represents a time when Concord was a direct competitor to brands like Piaget.
Key Features
Minimalist 'C' logo, two-tone black and white dial, Roman numeral chapter ring, and an exceptionally thin rectangular profile characteristic of the 'Delirium' design philosophy.
Dial Description
Two-tone design featuring a black outer perimeter with a white/cream central circular sector. It has a gold-tone printed chapter ring with Roman numerals (visible XII, III, VI, IX) and simple stick hands for hours and minutes. Signature 'C' logo at 12 o'clock.
Case Material
Gold-plated (electroplated) base metal or 14k gold. Visible oxidation and wear on the plating indicates a thicker gold layering common during this era, though the underlying base metal is likely brass.
Crystal Type
Mineral glass or Acrylic. The crystal is severely damaged with multiple cracks and fractures across the right side and lower half.
Bezel Details
Fixed, integrated into the rectangular case design. Low-profile, polished gold finish, now showing significant tarnish and wear.
Crown & Pushers
Small, push-pull crown located at the 3 o'clock position. Minimalist design to maintain the slim profile of the watch.
Bracelet or Strap
Black leather strap, likely aftermarket based on the grain and wear. It is integrated into standard straight lugs with a traditional pin buckle.
Caseback Details
Likely a snap-on solid caseback made of stainless steel or gold-plated metal, featuring basic engravings for the brand, water resistance (minimal), and reference numbers.
Movement Type
Swiss Quartz. Likely a thin ETA-based quartz caliber or an early Concord-produced movement from the 'Delirium' era. 0-jewel or low-jewel count.
Water Resistance
Non-existent. Rated as 'Water Resistant' (splash proof) when new, but the broken crystal and aged gaskets provide zero protection against moisture.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made. Manufactured in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. Concord movements were largely in-house or specialized thin-caliber ETA collaborations.
Age Estimate
Circa 1978–1985. The combination of the 'Quartz' branding and the ultra-thin rectangular design is characteristic of Concord's peak luxury era.
Cultural Significance
Represents the luxury side of the Quartz Crisis, where Swiss manufacturers proved they could out-engineer Japanese firms by making quartz movements thinner and more elegant for high-fashion wear.
Condition Notes
Poor. The crystal is shattered and requires immediate replacement to prevent dial damage. The case shows heavy oxidation/tarnish and plating loss. The dial appears mostly intact but may have light debris from the crystal. Grade: Poor/Fair.
Value Estimate
$50 - $150 USD in current condition. If restored and confirmed to be solid 14k gold, value could rise to $400 - $700. As a plated base-metal piece in broken condition, value is primarily for parts or sentimental restoration.
Care & Maintenance
Requires immediate crystal replacement and a battery change. Caution should be used when opening the case to avoid further cracking the crystal. Not suitable for any contact with water. Movement should be checked for battery leakage (acid corrosion).
Similar Watches
Cartier Tank Louis, Piaget Altiplano, Omega De Ville Quartz, and the Longines Feuille d'Or.
Interesting Facts
In 1979, Concord released the 'Delirium,' which was the thinnest watch ever made at 1.98mm. This specific model follows that design philosophy. Concord was once a leading luxury brand in the US market, often outselling Rolex in certain high-end jewelry stores during the early 80s.