CONCORD SPAULDING & CO ELECTRIC CLOCK CA. 1970

ON HOLD

Concord was founded in 1908 in Bienne, Switzerland, as Société Horlogère Concord Watch Company SA. From the outset, the company focused on the American market, opening a subsidiary in New York in 1909, a sign of its strong international ambitions. True to its watchmaking prestige, Concord began developing "private label" watches in precious metals and gemstones in 1915, for jewelry houses such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Tiffany.

In the 1940s, Concord multiplied its innovations: it marketed watches incorporating real coins, illustrating its ability to marry tradition and modernity. In 1945, US President Harry S. Truman presented Concord watches to Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin at the Potsdam Conference, giving the brand diplomatic and historical recognition.

At the end of the 60s, Concord continued to expand and was acquired by the North American Watch Corporation, headed by Gedalio Grinberg. A few years later, it launched the legendary Delirium, an ultra-thin watch less than 2 mm thick, marking a turning point in watch design. This ultra-thin model was followed by several other versions, in a constant quest for technical and aesthetic innovation. Over the decades, Concord has enriched its collections with sporty and elegant models, while retaining its signature Swiss precision and refined design. In 1996, Concord joined the Movado Group, opening a new chapter in its history.

Spaulding & Co was founded in Chicago in 1888 by Henry A. Spaulding, a former representative of Tiffany & Co. Spaulding & Co quickly established itself as a leading jeweler, producing platinum and gemstone jewelry, silverware and watches of the highest quality. In 1889, the company opened a branch in Paris, on the Avenue de l'Opéra, affirming its international ambitions and its openness to European know-how.

Over the course of the XXᵉ century, Spaulding & Co underwent several transformations, including a merger with silver manufacturer Gorham in the 1920s-1930s, before reverting to its original name in the 1940s. The company continues to produce luxury objects, silverware, set jewelry and fine watches. Despite a more discreet commercial presence in the second half of the century, Spaulding & Co retains an important place in the history of American jewelry and remains a benchmark for collectors and lovers of historic pieces.

It was against this backdrop, in the heart of the 60s and 70s, that Concord and Spaulding & Co combined their talents to create an exceptional clock. Concord brought its mastery of movement, Swiss precision and the purity of design typical of the period, while Spaulding & Co enriched the piece with its sense of detail, choice of noble materials and refined jewellery craftsmanship. The result is a clock that is both functional and decorative, incorporating the modern geometric lines of the 60s, polished metal surfaces and discreet touches of luxury.

This clock illustrates the meeting of two traditions of excellence: Swiss technical rigor, embodied by Concord, and American artisanal elegance, represented by Spaulding & Co. Today, it is a rare collector's item, symbolizing an era when design and craftsmanship combine to create objects that are durable, beautiful and meaningful, bearing witness to the history and prestige of both houses. The clock features a removable, personalized plate bearing the name of Ira A. Eichner, probably the founder of AAR Corp. which has been supplying radios and radio equipment in the USA for 70 years. 

Manufacturer: Concord
Model: Electric
Catalogue number: Spaulding & co
Year: Circa 1970
Materials: Metal
Dimensions: Approx. Width xx cm Depth xx cm Height xx cm
Gauge: N/A, electric
Box/paper: no