When we learned that the Seiko Watch Corporation (SWC) had plans for a revival of the 1979 Credor Locomotive wristwatch, we were surprised – we wager most of the watch world was too. The craze for Gerald Genta designs seems to have passed its prime, but the designer is part of a class of just one when it comes to creating watches that look and feel distinctive. The Credor Locomotive serves a special function for us on this issue because it lets us talk about Credor; in years past, any major feature story about stealthy watches from brands known mainly to collectors would have included Grand Seiko. Those days are over now that Grand Seiko has taken such a prominent role in the mainstream arena, but Credor still qualifies.

To begin with, this watch was, at its launch, a time-and-date number and so it remains; no change there. So, why return this watch to the collection now? Well, this serves to reinforce the notion that the Credor Locomotive is back because this model builds on last year’s release with a fresh dial.

Indeed, that dial is the main dish here, featuring hexagons in two shades of green, one striped and the other not; hexagons are what define the design of the Locomotive, as you can see in the case, the bezel, the screws and the bracelet links. SWC says the dial was inspired by the green signal lights of Japanese railways. For some clarity here, this latest model is the Locomotive GCCR997, as opposed to the limited-edition Locomotive GCCR999 introduced in 2024. Yes, the new watch is not limited and yes, Seiko is preserving its trademark naming convention across another imprint.

For even more clarity, we note that SWC has not indicated any changes for Credor and it remains typically available only in Japan, with some exceptions. GCCR997 is one such example, and only ‘Credor’ appears on the dial. Measuring 38.8mm in diameter and 8.9mm in thickness, the case is crafted from high-intensity titanium (between 60-70% the weight of stainless steel and with fewer scratches to boot).

This choice ensures both durability and comfort for the wearer. The case features a blend of brushed and mirror-polished finishes, which is tough to achieve in titanium but expected of sports elegance watches in the Genta mould. A hexagonal bezel secured by six functional screws and a screw-down crown at 4 o’clock (some will see a Seiko signature there) further accentuates the geometric motif.

Applied luminous indices and hands ensure excellent legibility, while a framed date window at the 3 o’clock position echoes the original design. Powering the Locomotive GCCR997 is the in-house calibre CR01 automatic movement, exclusive to Credor. Based on the Seiko 6L35 architecture, this movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of approximately 45 hours. The movement’s slim profile contributes to the watch’s sleek design, aligning with the brand’s emphasis on both form and function.

This story was first seen as part of the WOW #77 Spring 2025 Issue

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