Introducing Credor and Akira Yamaguchi Collaborate on the GCBD997 Limited Edition

Credor, the high-end watch brand under the Seiko Group, has partnered with renowned Japanese painter Akira Yamaguchi to unveil the GCBD997, a Japan-exclusive special edition that exemplifies the harmony between fine watchmaking and traditional Japanese artistry.

While many enthusiasts may be familiar with the sportier side of Credor, such as the Gerald Genta-designed Locomotive, since its founding in 1974, the brand has built a rich legacy of timepieces that celebrate traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Techniques such as metal engraving, lacquer work, and mother-of-pearl inlay have all played a key role in Credor’s elegant and artisanal approach to watchmaking.

Yamaguchi, known for his unique compositions that blend classical Yamato-e perspectives with modern, intricately detailed scenes of people and architecture, brings a distinctive narrative to this collaboration.

Housed in a rounded, compact stainless steel case measuring 38mm in diameter and just 8.4mm thick, the GCBD997 is topped with a curved sapphire crystal. 

The caseback, mostly closed, is crafted with creativity and symbolism. It features a small sapphire aperture revealing part of the regulating organ, surrounded by delicate geometric engravings that represent “The rhythmically moving balance wheel which is surrounded with a geometric shapes, Secured by six screws, the caseback offers water resistance to 30 meters.

The true centerpiece, however, is the white dial, inspired by the Japanese aesthetic philosophy of Suki, an appreciation of elegance and subtle beauty. The dial concept, known as Suki Mechanical, visualizes the balance wheel as the origin of movement and life, with energy radiating outward like ripples. 

An openworked section between 6 and 9 o’clock reveals a partially exposed mechanism beneath a transparent sapphire layer, adorned with mechanical motifs. This multi-dimensional construction creates a mesmerizing depth, merging two-dimensional art with three-dimensional mechanics.

Inside beats the ultra-thin, hand-wound Credor Calibre 6899, based on the Seiko 68 movement family. Measuring just 1.98mm in thickness, it operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz) and offers a power reserve of approximately 37 hours, with a daily deviation of +25 to -15 seconds.

Completing the watch is a luxurious brown crocodile leather strap paired with a stainless steel three-fold clasp. Limited to just 15 pieces, the GCBD997 is priced at JPY 3,300,000 approximately 20,700 USD or AED 76,000.

For more information please visit Credor’s official website.