{"id":52070,"date":"2024-06-01T10:23:30","date_gmt":"2024-06-01T08:23:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.horbiter.com\/?p=52070"},"modified":"2025-09-25T21:25:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:25:18","slug":"the-credor-locomotive-50th-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.horbiter.com\/en\/the-credor-locomotive-50th-anniversary\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing the Credor Locomotive 50th Anniversary watch"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/h2>\n

The relationship between G\u00e9rald Genta and Japan was close and closer\u00a0than expected. The Credor\u00a0Locomotive summarizes two cultures coming\u00a0together in a timepiece once commissioned by Seiko to promote their noblest brand<\/strong>: Credor.<\/p>\n

\"Gerald<\/p>\n

G\u00e9rald Genta, the \u201cdesigners\u2019 designer,\u201d<\/em> invented the luxury sports watch in steel, thus turning around most brands\u2019 businesses. He loved Japan so much<\/strong> that he organized countless trips during the Seventies.<\/p>\n

The relationship with the Seiko Group is not breaking\u00a0news; it has become prominent due to the renewed partnership\u00a0between Genta\u2019s foundation and Credor<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"seiko<\/p>\n

That said, the original Seiko Credor Locomotive was Genta\u2019s take on the Japanese wristwatch<\/strong>; while Seiko\u2019s technical\u00a0prowess was excellent, it explored new designs to empower its youngest brand\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n

From Seiko Credor Locomotive to Credor Locomotive: the new reference GCCR999<\/h2>\n

The term \u201cLocomotive\u201d<\/em> seems ironic to a country as technologically\u00a0advanced in high-speed train engineering. As the name suggests, the watch aimed to push Credor\u2019s ambitions as a watchmaker when it was released in 1979.<\/p>\n

The quartz era was plummeting, and so was the Japanese industry\u2019s desire to rule the watch industry forever. Nonetheless, the Seiko Credor Locomotive housed a quartz calibre<\/strong>, a technology often found across Credor products back then, to ensure a slim profile and the best accuracy.<\/p>\n

\"seiko<\/p>\n

The collaboration with G\u00e9rald Genta proves Credor\u2019s less constrained approach to design<\/strong> compared to other brands from the Group, especially Grand Seiko, whose \u201cGrammar of Design\u201d<\/em> sets specific rules and guidelines. In contrast, Credor\u2019s approach to design is holistic, building on exquisite mechanical movements like the Spring Drive ones.<\/p>\n

Look at the sleek Kuon collection<\/strong>, which paved the way for the contemporary luxury sports watch. Coming\u00a0along is a quintessentially Heritage wristwatch like the Credor\u00a0Locomotive GCCR999. The designers revisited the original drawings to reproduce the Locomotive as faithfully as possible, with no Seiko logo, abiding by the rules of the \u201cGrammar of Genta.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The brand\u2019s 50th-anniversary model pays homage to Genta\u2019s work but builds on the Group\u2019s catalogue of mechanical movements. We will talk about that later.<\/p>\n

Hexagonal case and functional screws<\/h3>\n

The hexagon replaces the well-known octagon<\/strong> while six functional screws, all pointing towards the dial\u2019s\u00a0centre, secure the bezel to the case. You can spot a Royal Oak feel to it; there is\u00a0nothing to be shocked about. The original formula is among the most recognizable in the history of watchmaking, and its hexagonal take is Genta\u2019s, sketched by him. Therefore, it is exclusive\u00a0to Credor. Otherwise, it is like claiming that G\u00e9rald Genta has copied himself, which sounds ridiculous.<\/p>\n