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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Quartz wristwatch

Concord Delirium Ultra-Thin

Partially verified

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.

Front view of the Concord Delirium Ultra-Thin on a black lizard strap.
Front view of the Concord Delirium Ultra-Thin on a black lizard strap. — Analog Shift. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
shop.analogshift.com
Category
Wristwatch · Quartz wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Concord
Reference
AS11614
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
late-1970s/early-1980s
Source-reported place
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

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.

Evidence for this section
  • “It features a crisp rectangular gold case, a glossy black dial with Roman numerals, and the discreet QUARTZ signature that defines the era.”
  • “A shiny black lizard strap and the original gold Concord pin buckle with CC logo complete the look.”

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'.

Evidence for this section
  • “On January 12, 1979, Ebauches SA and ETA—alongside Concord, Eterna, IWC, and Longines—announced what was then the world’s thinnest watch.”
  • “And perhaps the best part: the Delirium’s case-integrated movement concept directly informed the early Swatch project—initially nicknamed “Delirium Vulgare,” or “Delirium for the masses.””

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.

Evidence for this section
  • “This Delirium is from the later chapter of the story: still exceptionally slim, but designed for daily wear and a more conventional user experience.”
  • “A fashion watch, a technical milestone, and a tiny piece of Swiss watchmaking’s survival story.”

Open research questions

  • What are the precise case dimensions of this specific iteration compared to the original 1.98mm version?
  • Does this specific model utilize a conventional crown, confirming the shift away from the caseback pusher mechanism?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Concord Delirium Ultra-Thin
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerConcord“Vendor: Concord”
ReferenceAS11614“Concord Delirium Ultra-Thin”
OriginSwitzerland“Swiss defiance”
Dial featuresRoman numerals and QUARTZ signature“a glossy black dial with Roman numerals, and the discreet QUARTZ signature that defines the era.”
BuckleGold Concord pin buckle with CC logo“the original gold Concord pin buckle with CC logo”

Visible details

  • 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

Research qualifications

  • Specific production year within the late 1970s/early 1980s range is not specified
  • Exact movement model number for this specific iteration is not confirmed

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

ساعت مچی کوارتز Concord Delirium Ultra-Thin

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 4653ffbeac

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