Finding Dad's Concord Mariner

[@jmand63]

"NINE/QUARTZ" is the dimension of the movement. "Following a centuries-old tradition, watchmakers use lines rather than millimetres to describe the size of the movement’s diameter. This measurement is generally indicated as a triple apostrophe, so 16 1/2 lines is written as 16 1/2´´´, or 37.22 mm diameter. The line, or Parisian line, is an ancient watchmaking measurement that predates metrification and is a direct descendant of the French pied (foot) measurement used under the Ancien Régime. Each line is equivalent to 2.2558 mm, which is rounded up to 2.26 mm for ease of calculation. In the past the French foot used to correspond to 12 inches measuring 12 lines each." Source: calibercorner.com.

[@staszeksowikowski9039]

Isn't it spelled "ligne"?

[@jmand63]

@@staszeksowikowski9039 yes, ligne in French.

[@rahsunallah2825]

Are you familiar with the dubious Excalibur watch?

[@Ray.J]

Dad's are special and when you are blessed to have had a really good one, you want to remember them. When my father passed, one of my older sisters asked if there was anything in particular that I wanted of his. I could have asked for any number of things but I blurted out "I would like to have his hammer". I didn't even think about it. The hammer had zero value really, as a hammer goes, but it was the sentimental, emotional connection I desired. My dad wasn't a professional carpenter but there wasn't anything he was afraid to tackle and build from room additions to kitchen cabinets, all constructed with blood, sweat and tears. So I wanted to honor that memory. Thanks Marc, for sharing a little about your father with us. Without saying much at all, you brought great honor to him.

[@JGalazin1]

The Nine Quartz and Delirium Quartz were both movements that Concord developed in the 70's and 80's during the Quartz crisis. They were marketed as ultra high end, and they were priced accordingly. Tiffany & Co even carried some of the models. The movements themselves were highly modified ETA 959's. Concord did everything possible in house to make them as thin as possible, and most of their watch designs highlight this fact. Concord also avoided any Swiss or ETA stamping or engraving on the cases to control tariff costs. Concord basically went broke, on advertising and celebrity endorsements trying to go up against companies like Rolex and Audemars. In 1984 were bought out by American Watch Company, then in 1996 by the Movado group. Movado almost seemed like they don't know what to do with them now, since they also own Ebel which was going after the same market share as Concord was.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

[@Mister_Phafanapolis]

Now Movado has MVMT and they absolutely run every. single. market. segment. Truly, the new gods of the watch industry. Untouchable. Use my discount code: Phaf90 for 90% off a MVMT watch

[@leonidaslantz5249]

I lost my dad when I was a young adult as well and it is so cool to be able to find one of the same watches your dad wore.

[@oiramsq73]

That’s a nice story. I remember those pieces being very, very popular. Wear it in good health.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks much.

[@ManoloVintage]

You should create an Islander Concord in memory of your father. I love the gray dial.

[@islandwatch]

Ooh, maybe.

[@davidsparling3505]

Very cool story, Marc. I wear my Dad’s 1963 Bulova 23 Automatic occasionally ...a simple stainless steel watch he wore on a Milanese bracelet. I still remember him tapping his non-filtered Pall Mall cigarettes on the acrylic face, before lighting, to pack the tobacco in.

[@Delkor444]

That’s awesome! Glad to see you have watches with a connection to your father.

[@islandwatch]

Me too!

[@VanderJam]

Fantastic piece and an even better story. Stories like this are what the love of watches is all about. Very happy for you! Now find the other one to give to your brother!

[@jonnie1908]

OMG in the 80's I worked for Littman Jewelers and almost bought one of those ! I LOVED that watch, but never got my hands on one !! Love this vid Marc ! TY !

[@islandwatch]

Very cool! Thank you.

[@bubbabubba100]

I have this same watch but with a second hand. It was my grandfathers, then my dad’s, and now mine. Lovely piece.

[@yz8096]

Always nice to see your videos, Marc. New watch enthusiast here (at 54 years young) and I find your videos informative and inspiring. Very cool tribute to your Dad on this acquisition.

[@benzaquenlawchambers]

Your story reminds us all to appreciate the people we have around us and all the good they do for us and care about us. May your watch be a bridge to all the good memories with your dad for many years to come.

[@erpa6668]

still have mine from 1987, /still works beautifully / black and gold design

[@dettlng_bb3529]

Love the different models of Concord watches. And I miss all the Concord ads from that period. Thank you so much Marc for showing your dads watch.

[@migy5031]

Nice tribute to your father, Marc. ✌️ Omega had a very similar looking version with the Constellation of that period.

[@deej9367]

Also the JLC albatros

[@johnsmith-i5u]

I had one of these. Loved it. The bracelet is incredibly intricate. The modern day Chopard Alpine Eagle has a very similar designed bracelet. It really is a well designed watch.

[@subtropictime6212]

Fantastic, wonderful story and watch. Thank you for sharing. It's nice to see they still make a few styles of the Mariner.

[@islandwatch]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@TheSrAtlanta]

Great story and find! Love the ultra thin watches. It's why Piaget's Altiplano is on my grail list.

[@islandwatch]

Good choice!

[@okihaveaname]

Bvlgari has the Octo Finissimo. They compete with Piaget for the "world's thinnest" title.

[@davidsparling3505]

Is that the Piaget that Steve Martin wore in “ Planes, Trains and Automobiles”? (traded it for 1 night in a fleabag motel)

[@NathanChisholm041]

@@davidsparling3505 I remember when Candy tries to sell his Casio for a room! Great movie...

[@gumpracer]

I was so excited to read this title. My parents had his/hers Mariners in black PVD. I inherited my dad’s when he past a couple of years ago. Lovely watch!

[@christophervaccaro4339]

Great video! I have a very similar Concord that I inherited from my grandfather. Mine has a steel dial with gold lines . It’s not currently working. I hope to get it fixed at some point but regardless, I would never get rid of it. I love the watch and it has tremendous sentimental value. By the way, I was able to get a Red October and it’s a great watch!

[@chuckshelleymajor8066]

That's a beautiful watch, but even a better story! Our memories are what's important! Thanks for sharing that wonderful story about your Dad!

[@islandwatch]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@123vfp]

Looks great on your wrist Marc. What a great sentimental piece.

[@deliverancelyngdoh9023]

Old is gold👍

[@islandwatch]

True! And nostalgic.

[@Trex100]

Love the story and reflection on the technology. That bracelet/clasp is worthy of respect. Hats off to your dad.

[@islandwatch]

Thank you.

[@brianlevy101]

Good evening Marc, A Concord Mariner SG was my first quality timepiece. I purchased the watch new in the eighties. I still have it today, decades later! Interesting enough, it was a choice between the Mariner or a Datejust. They were the same price. I had seen the Concord advertised in some magazines, and I fell in love with the design. I had know idea that the used Rolex would be worth so much more today. Enjoy the memories!

[@lpsalsaman]

Congrats Marc on finding a similar model like the one your father had. It is a nice find and it looks really good, I to been looking for years trying to find the watch my dad used to have. He had a Wittnauer/Longines oyster style case and day/date on the 3 o'clock position. The watch was made back in 1969/70 it was 2 tones with a J bracelet, it was 10k bezel and the middle J links. Only seen it here and there on eBay but in really bad condition. Only once I saw one that was old stock, but they wanted way too much. The one my father had, unfortunately, was lost. Anyway, enjoy the great find!

[@michaeljordan6008]

This was the watch to have when I was a teenager. I still remember the Concord Mariner television commercials.

[@marczekowski753]

Thanks Marc. I really enjoyed that video. I just had a battery put into my Dad's SG with date.

[@mrp9498]

Nice watch and yes it does appear larger than 32mm. Thanks for the story and Merry Christmas.

[@glennpowell3444]

Hiya,yep reminds me very much of the early 80s style wise.Very handsome.The great advantage quartz gave us was slimness.Love the case.Thanks.

[@glennpowell3444]

Oh by the way enjoyed your recent video with TGV !

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for watching

[@craig2100]

Thank you sharing your memories and the watch piece that attached to your story...very special.

[@islandwatch]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@craig2100]

@@islandwatch it's a memory that brings a priceless story to a timepiece tha T you can cherish forever

[@mrbacchus6127]

Cool watch, reminds me I was looking at some Citizen Stiletto on Ebay.

[@9mmmike642]

Having you dads watches is great. I also have a bimetal Datejust like yours in rose gold with a silver dial. I wish it was larger because I have 8 inch wrists, but I still love having it.

[@oscargustavoarcosruiz8793]

I love these kinds of videos, a quick glance at your personal collection and a piece of historical and personal value, and I love the watch. Personally, I fantasize about being the proud owner of a solid gold Concord Centurion, I think it's the kind of watch that Frank Sinatra would wear in the 70's, or a mobster from Brooklyn. I share your opinion: Concord was a serious contender in the past, with what was in its time the thinnest quartz watch in the world, but after it disappeared from the main play, it's a shame.

[@annewoodman8251]

Hi Marc, i own the same watch in silver-no gold. Purchased it in 1985. Movement was replaced a few years ago. Still love the watch. Mine just says quartz.

[@TheWatchCorner]

Very cool Marc. My good friend Shane picked up one in mint condition witu orginal papers and box a few months ago for $280. Beautiful watch.

[@evocati6523]

That bracelet style (both regular and stretchy) is the official watch bracelet style of baby boomers. They ALL had one back in the day

[@islandwatch]

LOL. That's right.

[@LS1007]

Like Speidel Twist-O-Flex bands.

[@Mister_Phafanapolis]

I drive past a local watch store that advertises Speidel bracelets on sale. I shake my head. Ain't nobody running to buy a twist-o-flex bracelet. Millenials and Zoomers couldn't care less about those pinchy bracelets. Awful. A waste of effort.

[@keys-bw9bc]

Thanks for sharing a great story. I am glad you were able to find the watch.

[@MichaelG1986]

Really nice watch. Nice that it evokes memories of your dad. Smaller watches can be really nice to wear. The video reminded me that I haven't worn my vintage watches in my collection in a while. They're from the 50s and 60s, so they feel like you're not wearing a watch at all.

[@JD-wi5zd]

I really like those polygon-shaped cases. I wish they were more common in modern watches.

[@islandwatch]

Gerald Genta?

[@gmiddleswarth]

Check out D1 Milano. They make watches with the polygon case and they actually make a ultra thin quartz as well. Although that comes in at 6mm thick so not quite as thin as the Concord.

[@garygrey506]

Good on you for sourcing such a special watch - I don’t think I’ll have such trouble getting the Casio F-91 stainless my dad wears everyday!

[@artl52]

great story, Marc. Thx for sharing.

[@anothercanucknoob4433]

Really cool story behind the watch. Your dad had great taste!!

[@islandwatch]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dspserpico]

It feels like nobody makes super thin watches anymore.

[@lulul]

i think citizen makes some.. i dont know in what price range though.. casio has some 8-9mm in the affordable spectrum in the ediffice and beside line..

[@okihaveaname]

Tons of thin quartz watches especially from asia. Thin mechanical watches are not cheap: manofmany.com/fashion/watches/10-thinnest-watches-in-the-world

[@mattonthewater]

Piaget does

[@erxi01]

Try Piaget, Bvlgari, Frederique Constant, JLC,...

[@manny7886]

I've got a 10 mm Eco-drive dress watch from Citizen that I bought 3 years ago.

[@douglasladowski6342]

Awesome video. These make a nice variation to regular videos.

[@edf2953]

Interesting video Marc. I agree with you totally, as the Concord Mariner wears much larger on your wrist than I would have expected. Very nice watch. Glad you were able to pick it up. Wishing you and your Family a Merry Christmas and a a very Healthy, Safe, Joyous and Prosperous 2021!...Ed

[@islandwatch]

Thanks, same to you.

[@JP-wn4jn]

I like how thin it is. Can you make a long Island Concord homage?

[@richardtwyning]

Really chuffed for you Marc that you've managed to find one. I treasure my dad's 1948 Rotary. Merry Christmas 🎅⛄🙂

[@islandwatch]

Happy holidays!

[@ichris2011]

Believe it or not when these were new they were actually decently water resistant. They were advertised as a “watch you never have to take off”. Old commercials for them showed people swimming and showering with them, which is crazing considering how delicate they look and feel

[@philbailey2311]

A very stylish watch, despite its diminutive size! I hope that it continues to run for you!

[@islandwatch]

Me too!

[@LS1007]

Cool watch. The clasp is neat too. Never seen one before. Thanks for sharing it! I have my late Father’s old Elgin automatic with sort of a square case ( curved sides ). 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸

[@islandwatch]

Very cool!

[@zalsentzer]

Great piece. Love the sentimental factor, too. Nice find!

[@islandwatch]

Glad you like it!

[@scbr2458]

Excellent piece and history! Enjoy it.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks, will do!

[@adamb3129]

Cool video Marc. I did some digging and it appears the nine/quartz just refers to the movement inside. Not much info online about these though.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for the info!

[@jimbrown2044]

Great watch from an era when watches were slim, under the cuff and unobtrusive.....that type of bracelet clasp was quite common from the early 60s to the 80s,I have one on a watch from 1965 which has 4 adjustment positions and is marked"netonia"

[@eastcoastwatchconnection7949]

Hey Marc ! The ETA E64.111 is the modern replacement for the old eta 255.111/112

[@theroninwrist12]

I could never pull that watch off..but it’s beautiful and it looks amazing on you!

[@ReiMonCoH]

I literally just found 3 of these on EBay... all in the $200 range

[@jkacnt]

The clasp on the bracelet is such an amazing idea! There's room for improvement, but I'm surprised that other companies didn't copy/improve on it.

[@islandwatch]

Ditto.

[@mjbl3974]

@@islandwatch well Marc, I believe you're in the business of creating watches, so... 😉

[@stevenwymor1398]

Cool find. Ever seen a Piaget Altiplano? It’s a mechanical with a 2mm thick (thin) movement. They make an automatic that’s 4.3mm and a manual wind that’s a stunning 3.65mm thick. 😮

[@islandwatch]

I have not. I'll check it out.

[@Sparks68]

Congratulations on landing a Concord like your father’s. At 4mm it’s about as thin as you’re going to get a reliable, durable quartz at a sane price now. As you mentioned regarding its battery, that’s the limiting factor. The Eco-Drive One is 2.98mm but at $3500 one must ask if it’s worth the price. You could get thinner with the 3.5mm Titan Edge from India, but I’ve seen what they look like on the inside with movement, dial and hands. Convinced me I didn’t want one. Much too fragile. I’ve got a 4.7mm Citizen Stiletto Eco-Drive, and a 6mm Aristo 7001 Handaufzug (Peseux 7001). The Concord looks great on your wrist! The big dial and 22mm lug width make it visually larger. Has real class to it; you could wear it with anything from casual to formal. Be glad it’s not from their Delirium line for which the custom Renata 2V Lithium battery has long been out of production - without any replacement that’s thin enough for them. I’ve got the three watches my father had when he died in 1984. Nothing that valuable, but I vividly remember him wearing the 1936 Elgin tonneau that had been his father’s from the late 1950’s up to the very early 1960’s when he became a devout cheap Timex throwaway fan. It’s small! Like you, it immediately produces visions of it on his wrist. Also a prime example of the size men’s watches used to be. Now we have gargantuan wrist “warts”. I could mention Invicta’s name, but I won’t. Fantastic find for you; definitely qualifies as a “grail”!

[@moorwatch9654]

Wow that is gorgeous, I have an elderly Omega Deville quartz with an integrated milanese bracelet (thank god it fit when it arrived!) and it has the same style of clasp, still feels robust and secure though. That concord is amazing, congratulations on your purchase :)

[@islandwatch]

Sounds great!

[@johnmuthan286]

Very nice story and interesting piece here. That is what I don't understand with actual watch, even automatic. Ok not to the extent of tis Concord, but Brands seams to have forgotten how to make thin watches I have old Zenith, Omega and Tissot from my grandfather and are way thinner than what you can find nowadays, a shame...

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for watching.

[@mjbl3974]

What a great watch and story. 👍

[@islandwatch]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@wchisum100]

I just found my late fathers Concord Mariner SG. His is black and gold. In the box was all his paper work and original receipt from 1985. With tax it was $1780.84 I'm hoping it just needs a battery change.

[@scottsj4625]

I love thin watches and watches like Gshock where you forget you are wearing them. Interesting story behind that one. I know generations ago 34mm was considered the average size of a man's watch. I know a guy who collects vintage watches some back to the 1920s and they were much smaller than now.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for watching.

[@jason_jay3868]

Really digging that one man. Congrats and enjoy

[@islandwatch]

Appreciate it!

[@AJMacDonaldJr]

Very nice! 😃 Great find!

[@TheTarrMan]

Looks neet, I like how the bracelet works. I think "nine/quartz" refers to the jewels but I'm not sure. Maybe try and see if you can find the owners manual for it on eBay or other advertising material.

[@dimasjapan]

Beautiful watch

[@scowlistic]

I like the width of the band to the rest of the watch, very cool.

[@islandwatch]

Yes. Definitely helps with the wearability.

[@johnsrabe]

Nice watch and a great story. I wish I had the last watch my dad wore before he died in 1992. And it was only a cheapie digital. Merry Christmas, Marc!

[@islandwatch]

Still great memories, cost aside.

[@Nefville]

I quite like this watch, might have to see if there's another good one out there. Reminds me of a Constellation.

[@islandwatch]

It does.

[@David-cn6nq]

This is a dude, wearing two watches while checking out a watch, while talking about watches...gat damn.

[@JohnFrumFromAmerica]

Also starting his own watch company.

[@giangvu7902]

OMG that is such a cool looking watch!!!

[@islandwatch]

Thanks.

[@b.vonschnauser207]

Great video Marc. Concord is definitely one of those brands that you don't hear about much. I love my Saratoga (33mm). Somehow it defies logic and looks great on my 7" wrist.

[@islandwatch]

I dig the Saratoga as well.

[@zillsburyy1]

do a video on water resistance and what the numbers really mean!

[@pczYT]

Dad had an old Japanese watch back in the 70s, probably an Orient 3 star but I believe it was a quartz... Green face, golden hands with stainless steel case and band and he wore it really lose, to the point the watch was always facing downwards.

[@islandwatch]

Not comfy for me like that.

[@pczYT]

@@islandwatch neither for me... That's the way he wore it 😂😂😂

[@NathanChisholm041]

Awesome watch Marc! I'm fascinated with ultra-thin watches from Citizen and others! I wish they would start making ultra-thin watches again and the cheapest i found was $1358 aud. Cheers...

[@fletchoid]

I have my Dad's Seiko quartz on a matching Spiedel watch bracelet from the early 80s. It's in pretty bad shape. Lots of corrosion and flaking, but it keeps good time. It's too small, and too grungy to wear, but I keep it in a drawer, and have nostalgic feelings whenever I see it. It's nice to have something to remember someone by. Of course, this has become an excuse for my watch collecting disease. I often rationalize a purchase by thinking of who would like it when they inherit it. Your new ISL32 and/or 33 might look good on my daughters wrist. Hmmmm....

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for sharing!

[@twyx6928]

This is a really cool looking watch! It's a shame this sizing and style is not in the mainstream.

[@islandwatch]

True.

[@nsgfields]

Both watches are great.

[@nickxenakis6887]

Merry Christmas!

[@jamesgaither3216]

Nice watch big fan of concord and other brands

[@islandwatch]

Cool.

[@jeboccuzzi10]

I bought one new Black and Gold in 1985 Day Date at the 6 position and still have it and wear it. It retailed for $1890.00.

[@islandwatch]

Awesome, thanks for sharing.

[@jcmontecarlo6123]

Just got one on ebay. Let’s hope it’s not too difficult to fix

[@davidminor6161]

For the record, Citizen's Stiletto line is 4.7mm thick, sapphire, proven Eco-Drive, on leather or metal with butterfly deployant clasp.

[@newtonlee7849]

Yep, Concord currently has lost their way. I once owned a similar vintage Concord, so new vs old Concord is like comparing new Jag cars to pre 90's Jags. The vintage Concord has an incredibly designed bracelet; lots of intricately machined parts. Plus, incredibly thin. Cant make them like this anymore at such a low price.

[@seanm3226]

I had an SG Mariner Steel/Gold. Beautiful watch, but it collected dust for the last 20 years. Straight to EBay, and don’t look back.

[@islandwatch]

That's fine. Turf it!

[@scotthayes2652]

I have been given a few of my grandfathers watches and one of them is an accurist that looks just like this.

[@islandwatch]

Cool, thanks.

[@Cashrock]

That's a great looking watch, love the thinness! I'm curious about the nine/quartz too, I wonder if it has something to do with the movement/thickness; the movement was an ETA 959.001 if I'm not mistaken which was around 0.9mm thick, a shot in the dark! Fun fact, they made a Delirium watch that was 0.98mm thick, unwearable though because it would bend lol.

[@islandwatch]

True, that might be right.

[@the_9ent]

Lovely looking watch. What’s a ‘good/fair’ price for one of these online?

[@sufiyanadam]

$450-520

[@islandwatch]

Working? $500 to $600.

[@the_9ent]

@@islandwatch wowzers!

[@LawrenceTracey]

nine/quartz on the dial of a vintage concord watch usually means it has the ETA 959001 movement inside. Can you confirm?

[@vincentpickett121]

Well Mark I thought I was up on the October, missed it again is there any hope.that you will do them again, I really wanted that piece don't know how I missed it.

[@islandwatch]

They are gone, sorry

[@potgieterl]

I like the bracelet, very different from what you see these day's.

[@islandwatch]

True

[@potgieterl]

@@islandwatch Maybe that bracelet design could appear on a L.I. sports quartz watch someday?

[@kiwicory100]

ebay 14kt mariner sg 4,499.25 ooff I remember this model when I worked in a pawn shop. Thanks for sharing.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for sharing

[@steone3484]

I have the square model. How do you open the case back? It appears to be one piece?

[@stevengajadhar6971]

I have one with a broken circuit board, it uses eta 980.163 movement, should I just order a new movement?

[@alleckssadler7379]

I imagine the quartz has nine jewels 🤷🏻‍♂️