Concord Delirium Ultra-Thin
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late-1970s/early-1980s
This Concord Delirium Ultra-Thin is a Swiss-made quartz wristwatch representing the development of high-profile thin timepiece construction in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The watch features a rectangular gold case, a glossy black dial marked with Roman numerals, and a signature denoting its quartz movement. It is fitted with a black lizard strap secured by a gold Concord pin buckle bearing the 'CC' logo. While early Delirium iterations were noted for measuring 1.98mm in thickness and lacking a traditional crown, this example is described as a later version of the model designed for conventional daily wear.
The Delirium design concept is cited as an influence on the subsequent Swatch project. The watch is presented as a technical milestone in Swiss watchmaking history, intended to demonstrate competitiveness against the efficiency of contemporary quartz production.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Quartz wristwatch
- Maker
- Concord
- Buckle
- Gold Concord pin buckle with CC logo
- Origin
- Switzerland
- Reference
- AS11614
- Dial features
- Roman numerals and QUARTZ signature
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Maker / attribution
- Concord
Design
- Design Evolution
- While early models were recognized for their extreme thinness of 1.98mm and the use of a caseback pusher instead of a traditional crown, this specific watch represents a later chapter in the model's history. The manufacturer refined the design to facilitate daily use and a more conventional user experience. The watch serves as a technical milestone, marking a phase of survival for the Swiss industry. It balances the requirements of a fashion-oriented aesthetic with the engineering challenges associated with maintaining a slim silhouette in quartz-powered horology.
- Visible features
- • Rectangular gold case with brushed finish • Black dial featuring Roman numerals • Strap consists of shiny black lizard skin • Gold pin buckle marked with CC logo
- Historical Context
- The Delirium was developed during a period when the Swiss watch industry was adapting to the dominance of quartz technology. The project was initiated in January 1979 as a collaborative effort between Ebauches SA, ETA, Concord, Eterna, IWC, and Longines. The objective was to produce the thinnest watch in the world to assert Swiss technical capabilities. The legacy of the Delirium series extends to the early Swatch project. According to the provided information, the case-integrated movement concept utilized in the Delirium served as a design foundation for the later mass-market watches, which were internally referred to as 'Delirium Vulgare'.
- Case and Dial Design
- The Concord Delirium presented here features a rectangular gold case with a brushed finish. The aesthetic is dominated by a glossy black dial, which displays white Roman numerals around the perimeter. At the center, the dial bears the brand name and the designation 'QUARTZ', along with a 'SWISS' marker at the base. The watch is paired with a black lizard strap. It includes the original gold-toned pin buckle, which is stamped with the manufacturer's 'CC' logo. The overall presentation reflects the design language used in the later iterations of the Delirium series, which the source distinguishes from the earlier 1.98mm thick, crownless versions.
Identification
- Reference
- AS11614
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Specific production year within the late 1970s/early 1980s range is not specified
- Research required: Exact movement model number for this specific iteration is not confirmed