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Lot Essay
Credor timepieces are rarely seen outside Japan and almost never available to buy. We are therefore immensely honoured to offer this Credor Eichi platinum wristwatch, reference GBLR999, with centre seconds and power reserve indication. The name ‘Eichi’ meaning ‘Wisdom’ in Japanese, visually this watch is the epitome of simplicity, yet it is constructed and finished to the highest possible level of perfection. Made in a limited edition of only 25 pieces, it is regarded by many as one of the most elegant time-only wristwatches in the world today.
The Japanese concept of Kaizen, or continuous improvement in manufacturing, in this case watchmaking, has reached a high point with the creation of the Credor Eichi. Its apparent restraint in design belies the immense patience required by the watchmakers over weeks and months in order to hand finish the watch to the most exacting standards imaginable. A special team within Grand Seiko is charged with the handmaking of the Eichi, known as the Micro Artisan Studio, it is a group of over 10 of the most talented watchmakers in Japan, all experts in their field, who between them create only 10 watches per year. Each individual watch is made by one master craftsman from beginning to end.
Adding a further level of exclusivity, the brilliant white porcelain dial is made by the world famous Japanese porcelain house of Noritake, it is thought that the whiteness of the dial was inspired by the snowy winter mountains in the region of Shinshu. Upon close inspection, at certain angles, large ‘ghost’ numerals 2, 4, and 7 become visible. This symbolizes that the watch is at the owner’s service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In harmony with the excellence of the movement and enhancing the artisan nature of the watch, the hour markers and inscriptions on the dial are painted by hand, taking a craftsman an entire day to complete just one dial. The solid platinum case with crystal display back to view the beauty of the movement is a symphony in understatement. Set into the winding crown is a tiny porcelain panel tying the case design to the dial as a coherent concept.
Grand Seiko founded Credor in 1974 in order to painstakingly produce very high-end handmade timepieces in exceedingly small numbers. What is perhaps less well known is that the legendary watchmaker Philippe Dufour helped to set up the studio in Japan. Indeed, the anglage and overall movement hand finishing of Credor watches is very close to the work of the master himself.
The manual winding Caliber 7R08 has 44 jewels. As a further meaningful feature, the cover of the mainspring barrel is pierced with a stylized flower similar to that found in Eastern arts, this flower is symbolic of Shiojiri, a small town near Nagano, the site of Seiko Epson.
Credor watches are exceedingly rare due to their extremely low production numbers. This sublime platinum Eichi gives collectors outside Japan the incredibly rare opportunity to obtain one of these almost mythical timepieces, representing haute horology in perhaps its purest form.
The Japanese concept of Kaizen, or continuous improvement in manufacturing, in this case watchmaking, has reached a high point with the creation of the Credor Eichi. Its apparent restraint in design belies the immense patience required by the watchmakers over weeks and months in order to hand finish the watch to the most exacting standards imaginable. A special team within Grand Seiko is charged with the handmaking of the Eichi, known as the Micro Artisan Studio, it is a group of over 10 of the most talented watchmakers in Japan, all experts in their field, who between them create only 10 watches per year. Each individual watch is made by one master craftsman from beginning to end.
Adding a further level of exclusivity, the brilliant white porcelain dial is made by the world famous Japanese porcelain house of Noritake, it is thought that the whiteness of the dial was inspired by the snowy winter mountains in the region of Shinshu. Upon close inspection, at certain angles, large ‘ghost’ numerals 2, 4, and 7 become visible. This symbolizes that the watch is at the owner’s service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In harmony with the excellence of the movement and enhancing the artisan nature of the watch, the hour markers and inscriptions on the dial are painted by hand, taking a craftsman an entire day to complete just one dial. The solid platinum case with crystal display back to view the beauty of the movement is a symphony in understatement. Set into the winding crown is a tiny porcelain panel tying the case design to the dial as a coherent concept.
Grand Seiko founded Credor in 1974 in order to painstakingly produce very high-end handmade timepieces in exceedingly small numbers. What is perhaps less well known is that the legendary watchmaker Philippe Dufour helped to set up the studio in Japan. Indeed, the anglage and overall movement hand finishing of Credor watches is very close to the work of the master himself.
The manual winding Caliber 7R08 has 44 jewels. As a further meaningful feature, the cover of the mainspring barrel is pierced with a stylized flower similar to that found in Eastern arts, this flower is symbolic of Shiojiri, a small town near Nagano, the site of Seiko Epson.
Credor watches are exceedingly rare due to their extremely low production numbers. This sublime platinum Eichi gives collectors outside Japan the incredibly rare opportunity to obtain one of these almost mythical timepieces, representing haute horology in perhaps its purest form.