Concord Delirium Très Mince "Scarface" from 1979

On January 12, 1979, the Swiss watch industry announced the thinnest watch ever made: The Delirium, developed and produced by Ebauches SA for Concord, Eterna, IWC, and Longines, measured just 1.98 mm thick. It wasn’t a big seller, but that wasn’t intended; the Delirium was a PR exercise to show the world that the Swiss were innovating like the Japanese and would stand their ground in the quartz market. 

Popularized by Tony Montana (Al Pacino) wearing this exact model with a black dial in the 1983 film Scarface, the Concord Delirium has a story that extends far beyond its cinematic fame. The Delirium represents one of the most important technological breakthroughs in modern watchmaking, introducing a revolutionary construction in which the caseback itself served as the movement's main plate. This innovation would later inspire some of the most significant ultra-thin timepieces ever produced, including the Swatch, the Audemars Piguet Tourbillon Extra-Thin, and the modern Piaget Altiplano.

Beyond its influence, the Delirium was a technical marvel in its own right. At less than 2mm thick, including the crystal, it held the title of the world's thinnest quartz wristwatch and emerged as the ultimate victor in the race toward miniaturization that defined the quartz era. The flagship model, the Concord Delirium Très Mince, was among the most desirable and expensive watches available in the early 1980s.

Its rarity today can be attributed to two factors: its extraordinarily high retail price and its limited production period. Priced at approximately CHF 20,000 in 1979—an astonishing sum for the era—it was a watch reserved for a select clientele. Combining cutting-edge technology, exceptional precision, and meticulous hand craftsmanship, its case was manufactured by Favre & Perret, the renowned case maker responsible for iconic watches such as the Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700 and numerous other prestigious Patek Philippe references of the period.

Brand: Concord
Model: Delirium Très Mince 
Year of manufacture: 1979
Serial number: 434,196
Material: 18k yellow gold
Dimensions: 25mm 1.98mm thick
Crystal material: Sapphire crystal
Luminous material: No
Type of movement: Quartz
Strap measure: 21mm
Strap: Genuine Alligator
Box/Papers: No
Mechanical Operating Guarantee: 6 months

Comments: Buckle is gold plated not original, watch has a new battery installed.