GBLT997Seiko Watch Corporation will release one model from its luxury watch brand Credor to commemorate the 140th anniversary of Seiko's founding on January 22, 2021. The suggested retail price for each model is 6.6 million yen (tax included) (6 million yen excluding tax).
... As a boy, Kintaro observed the operation of a watch shop and decided to become a watch merchant. He realized that profits could be made not only through sales but also through repairs, and that even on days when there were few customers, precious time would not be wasted. He subsequently learned watch repair and sales at a watch shop. In 1881, at the age of 21, he founded the Hattori Watch Shop (now Seiko Holdings Corporation). Initially, the company focused on selling and repairing imported watches. However, Kintaro's goal was to manufacture his own watches. In 1892, he established the Seikosha watch factory and began producing wall clocks. Seikosha subsequently carried out all processes, from parts manufacturing to assembly, in-house, delivering sophisticated, high-quality products to the world. Three years later, he began producing pocket watches, which were in high demand at the time. In 1913, Kintaro foresaw the arrival of the wristwatch era and produced Japan's first domestically produced wristwatch. Since then, thanks to Kintaro Hattori's foresight and unique management philosophy, the Hattori Watch Shop has laid the foundation for Japan's watch industry.
Credor, which was launched in 1974 as Seiko's first luxury dress watch brand, means "créte d'or" (créte d'or) in French. Since its launch in 1974, the brand has continued to preserve its beauty and quality by combining Japanese aesthetic sensibilities and the exquisite craftsmanship of master artisans with carefully selected materials.
This time, based on the Credor Eichi II, a masterpiece that has earned Credor worldwide acclaim, we are releasing a lapis lazuli porcelain dial model, the first color dial for the Eichi II, to commemorate our 140th anniversary.
Product Features
The Eichi was launched in 2008 as a fusion of the advanced skills and cutting-edge technology that Credor has cultivated over many years and a delicate beauty that appeals to Japanese sensibilities. Brought to life by the exceptional craftsmanship of the Micro Artist Studio (※1), this watch embodies "ultimate simplicity," a refined aesthetic that appeals to Japanese sensibilities.
The second-generation Eichi II, launched in 2014, represents an even more beautiful evolution of the Eichi.
A dial that naturally curves due to firing, and a hand-painted Credor logo and indices
The porcelain dial used in this watch is made by firing a glassy glaze at high temperatures. The surface tension of the molten glass creates a gently curved surface, which, when cooled and hardened, takes on the soft appearance unique to porcelain.
The Credor logo and indices have also been hand-painted by skilled artisans. The beautiful contrast with the lapis lazuli dial creates a raised appearance, exuding the warmth of hand-painted work.
The deep lapis lazuli porcelain dial model embodies the profound history of Seiko's 140th anniversary
The color we aimed for in the development of this model was lapis lazuli. Lapis lazuli, a gemstone prized since ancient times, is also known as "lapis lazuli," and is found in the Egyptian mask of Tutankhamun and the Shosoin treasure (the navy blue obi). Reproducing lapis lazuli through firing is difficult, so development took two years to achieve the deep color using a uniquely formulated natural glaze. After dozens of trial and error, we achieved a beautiful lapis lazuli dial by firing it more frequently than white. Due to the characteristics of glaze, the appearance of the color changes drastically depending on the viewing angle and ambient brightness. This rich hue befits Seiko's 140th anniversary. Additionally, the hands and screws of the power reserve indicator attached to the movement, visible through the see-through case back, are finished with a dark blue oxide coating called "temper (blue steel)," which is created by heating pure iron, and beautifully complement the lapis lazuli porcelain dial.
The delicate brilliance of a movement polished by hand and equipped with an ingenious mechanism
The Caliber 7R14 that powers this watch has been meticulously hand-finished to a mirror-like curved shape, with the contours of the bridges and the chamfered edges around the holes for the rubies and screws ensuring a beautiful shine from any angle. Additionally, the Caliber 7R14's "torque return system" is an ingenious mechanism that maximizes the high-torque characteristics of Spring Drive (*2) and effectively utilizes limited energy to extend the watch's running time. From a fully wound state with high torque, the system uses the energy of the mainspring to wind the mainspring itself for approximately 35 hours. This mechanism, which effectively utilizes limited energy, achieves approximately 60 hours of running time, approximately 25% longer than the previous 7R-series Spring Drive.
Signo
Eichi II Lapis Lazuli Porcelain Dial Model
Product Number GBLT997
Suggested Retail Price 6.6 million yen (tax included) (6 million yen excluding tax)
Case Platinum 950
Strap & Clasp Crocodile & Platinum 950 (some 18K White Gold)
Dial Color Navy Blue (Porcelain Dial)
Water Resistance Water Resistant for Daily Use (3 ATM)
Scheduled release date Friday, January 22, 2021
Other specifications
https://www.credor.com/lineup/detail/?no=GBLT997
[Movement specifications]
Spring Drive movement caliber 7R14
Winding method Manual winding
Time accuracy Average monthly rate ± 15 seconds (equivalent to daily rate ± 1 second)
Power reserve Approximately 60 hours
Number of jewels 41 jewels
(※1) Micro Artist Studio
Micro Artist Studio is one of the main workshops that make up the "Shinshu Toki no Takumi Studio," and was established by Seiko Epson Corporation in 2000 with the aim of passing on watchmaking skills. It was established within the Shiojiri Plant. Currently, the company is staffed with "Contemporary Master Craftsmen," including a "Skill Olympics Gold Medalist" and a recipient of the Medal with Yellow Ribbon, who utilize their advanced skills and techniques to create complicated timepieces.
(※2) Spring Drive
Like mechanical watches, Spring Drive is a Seiko-original drive mechanism that uses the unwinding power of a mainspring as its power source, while accurately controlling precision using an IC and quartz oscillator. It is characterized by the fact that it does not require a battery, its stable timekeeping accuracy is virtually unaffected by external factors such as temperature changes, shocks, and vibrations, and its smooth, flowing movement of the second hand (sweeping hand movement).
Seiko Watch Corporation official website address: http://www.seikowatches.com
Credor official website address: http://www.credor.com
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