Concord C1 Worldtimer GMT

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C1 Worldtimer
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Time reveals its dark side
La Cote des Montres - May 2nd, 2008

 
The C1 WorldTimer dares to flaunt a taste for excess and extravagance – whether in terms of volume, technical features or style. It is breaking into the watchmaking world in a powerful and determined manner, asserting itself an exclusive, intransigent model that refuses to fit into any one given category. Its individual nature shines out from a muscular case that holds time in a firm, self-assured grip.

Black. If there were ever a timepiece that managed to reconcile readability and darkness: this would have to be it. Only the dial reveals small touches of the signature Concord blue, which in particular highlights the second time zone in a completely original way. Powered by the Dubois Dépraz Caliber self-winding movement, the C1 WorldTimer combines high performance and technical sophistication. As easy to read as it is to handle, it confirms Concord’s determination to interpret watchmaking codes and to anchor its watches in a daringly avant-garde world.

The athletic, dusky case appears completely impenetrable. Teamed with a vulcanized black rubber strap, it is made from steel coated with DLC (diamond-like carbon), a combination of the graphite and diamond forms of carbon. This extremely dense coating has an amorphous structure similar to that of an ultra-resistant glass, and offers excellent protection against corrosion. Frequently used in the automobile industry because of its resistance to high levels of friction, it features a peerless range of properties: anti-corrosive, scratch-resistant and extremely hard, it also has a somber matt appearance that lends itself to some attractive aesthetic variations.

The uncompromising case construction ensures a rugged strength built to withstand all possible trials. Water-resistant to 20 ATM, it consists of 53 cleverly interlocking parts. Resting on the case middle, a rubber-coated metal protective ring is laterally screwed and topped by eight tabs straddling the bezel in order to protect the voluminous 3.3 mm sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides and which seems to be bursting free of the dial.

The design of the black dial focuses on contrasts between light and shade, multiple perspectives, accentuated contours and added depth… Its conception offers a blend of technical and aesthetic features that highlight the time indications. The darkly fascinating engine-turned motif stands out starkly against the light-coloured date display at 3 o’clock. The luminescent applied hour-markers are swept over by sturdy rhodium-plated and luminescent hands. The asymmetrical nature of their hollowed and solid parts exercises strong tension on the central stem and calls for meticulous assembly. The central seconds hand is tipped with the Concord blue, echoing the minute circle in the same color.

The dual time zone is displayed to its best advantage in a b>Concord blue arc of a circle at 9 o’clock. This entirely innovative display enjoys ample room in this broad opening and thus shows the time in a novel way. Its original design is matched by an amazing device based on superimposed hour and city disks rotating on demand. The display mechanism, which conceals nothing of its mode of operation, plays on transparent and luminosity to accentuate the depth effect of the dial.

Simply pressing the button at 2 o’clock selects the destination city and thereby activates the information in the GMT aperture. The time in the corresponding zone is instantly displayed just opposite. An additional corrector hidden in the side of the case at 4 o’clock serves to modify the hours if required (particularly when moving from summer or daylight saving time (DST) to winter time). And since the changes affect only the hours, the central minute hands remains the point of reference. A simple gesture and an intuitive approach, for an admirably efficient response.

The sophisticated and inimitable C1 WorldTimer meets the highest demands in terms of efficiency and comfort. While it certainly lives up to the sheer arrogance of its dimensions, it also boasts excellent ergonomics. Secured to the case by four self-locking screws, the strap has been specially conceived and shaped to ensure a perfect fit on the wrist. The lug-free attachments ensure an exceptionally supple flow that enables this timepiece to defy the limits of construction.
The C1 WorldTimer reveals time in a whole new dimension. By maneuvering engineering and design with a subversively innovative purpose, its construction opens up whole new vistas for mechanical horology. A uniquely unconventional vision of time that magnifies impetuous creativity.

Concord C1 Worldtimer

Technical data

Movement:Mechanical, self-winding (Dubois-Dépraz)
28,800 vibrations/hour
21 jewels
42-hour power reserve<:td>
Functions:Hours – minutes – seconds
Date indication
City indication on main disk
Time-zone indication on subsidiary disk<:td>
Case:DLC (diamond-like carbon) treated steel
Dimensions: 47mm x 13.5mm
Sapphire crystal measuring 3.3 mm thick, glareproofed on both sides
Crown in DLC-treated steel and black rubber with C1 logo
Water-resistant to a pressure of 20 ATM<:td>
Dial:Black engine-turned
C-shaped blue-colored opening onto the city and time-zone disks<:td>
Strap:Black vulcanized rubber
Folding clasp in DLC treated steel with Concord logo<:td>
 
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