Thanks to the recent revival of the Gérald Genta-designed Locomotive, Credor (the high-end, art-driven arm of Seiko Watch Corporation) has started to gain wider recognition. Long admired by collectors for its sublime Eichi series and ultra-complicated minute repeaters and sonneries, Credor has typically remained a Japan-only secret. But every so often, it releases a piece so evocative, it demands global attention. The latest example? The Credor GCBD997, a striking limited edition created in collaboration with acclaimed Japanese painter Akira Yamaguchi.
Let’s get the bad news out of the way: the GCBD997 is once again a Japan-exclusive, limited to just 15 pieces. While Credor has begun stepping into international markets, watches like this remain out of reach for most. Still, its artistry and story make it well worth knowing, and maybe even worth a pilgrimage to Japan.
Art Meets Horology
The GCBD997 revolves entirely around its unique dial, designed by Yamaguchi. Born in Tokyo in 1969, Yamaguchi is known for blending classical Japanese composition with Western oil painting techniques, often depicting intricate cityscapes or historical scenes in bird’s-eye view. His multi-media approach, ranging from manga to sculpture, has earned him national recognition, including the Kobayashi Hideo Award in 2013 and an appointment as Kiryu City’s first artistic ambassador.
In the GCBD997, Yamaguchi interprets a concept called suki mechanical, a philosophy of refined elegance. The dial features a partial opening from 6 to 9 o’clock, revealing a transparent sapphire layer etched with mechanical motifs. This layered structure creates a visual interplay between two- and three-dimensional elements, adding surreal depth and a dreamlike quality to the dial.
Even the indexes are works of art. Rather than traditional placement, 60 indexes in 11 different forms are arranged into a rhombus pattern, a classic Japanese design element. These indexes create shifting effects of light and shadow, further enhancing the illusion of depth.
Technical Elegance
While the dial is the obvious star, the case complements it with understated grace. Crafted from polished steel, it measures 38mm across and only 8.4mm thick, topped with a curved sapphire crystal. The caseback features a symbolic engraving: a moon-like balance wheel surrounded by silver grass, autumn flowers, and celestial orbits, Yamaguchi’s metaphor for the flow of time and nature.
Powering the GCBD997 is the manual-winding Credor calibre 6899, part of Seiko’s ultra-thin 68 series, in production since 1969. It measures just 1.98mm thick, and offers a 37-hour power reserve, minimal, but fitting for such a refined timepiece.
Final Thoughts
Strapped to a brown crocodile leather band and priced at JPY 3,300,000 ( approximately EUR 19,700 / GBP 16,600 / USD 21,200), the Credor GCBD997 is as much a canvas as it is a watch. Though its scarcity and Japan-only release may frustrate the international collector, it serves as a powerful example of what Credor does best: traditional Japanese artistry. Let’s hope it signals more global releases in the near future.
