The Credor Locomotive designed by Gérald Genta comes to Place Vendôme
The sports watch created for Seiko in the 1970s by the Picasso of watches is back, including in Paris.
It's anything but a legend: throughout the 1970s, Reijiro Hattori, head of the Japanese watchmaking giant, often brought Gérald Genta to Japan to share his inspiration with his teams. It's even said that he was the one who came up with the name "Credor," which comes from the French expression "Crète d'Or," for Grand Seiko's sister brand. Conversely, as Evelyne Genta, widow of the famous watch designer, recently testified, it was largely because of Reijiro Hattori's encouragement that Gérald Genta launched his own brand.
The fruit of this encounter between Switzerland and Japan would see the light of day in 1979, with the Credor Locomotive, a name (a rare occurrence) chosen by the designer himself. With this delicately finished sports watch, the idea was clear: that it would carry Seiko's watchmaking ambitions high, and this was the case. An anniversary edition of 300 pieces (sold out) had already been offered in Paris at Chronopassion to mark Credor's 50th anniversary (born in 1974). For this new creation, every detail had been reexamined and reproduced based on Gérald Genta's original sketch. While the Locomotive's iconic six-screw hexagonal bezel had been retained, the screws had been adapted to be functional rather than simply decorative. Alongside a black dial, the case and bracelet were also made of high-intensity titanium, an alloy 30% lighter and more scratch-resistant than stainless steel.
To officially launch the new version of the Locomotive outside Japan, Akio Naito, President of Seiko Watch Corporation, and Shibasaki Munehisa, its Director & Senior Vice President, met at the Grand Seiko boutique on Place Vendôme in Paris, in the presence of Evelyne Genta and her daughter Alexia.
This new Credor Locomotive GCCR997 revisits the 1970s icon with a touch of modernity, while remaining faithful to the avant-garde spirit of the master watchmaker. Water-resistant to 100 meters, it this time sports a deep green dial, with a hexagonal pattern as discreet as it is complex, a nod to the iconic shape of the case and bezel. We find of course the screw-down bezel, the crown and the screws, all shaped according to the Locomotive's hexagonal signature, with a thick 8.9 mm case and a high-intensity titanium bracelet. The finishes alternate between brushed and mirror-polished, while the bracelet retains its tapered profile and hexagonal links, incorporating a mirror polish on its fine edges. Its automatic three-hand date Caliber CR01 offers 45 hours of power reserve. This Credor Locomotive GCCR997 is on sale for €14,500, notably at Place Vendôme in Paris, at the Grand Seiko boutique.
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