If you’ve been paying any attention to the world of watchmaking, you’ll know that retro reissues are hot right now. And we’re not just talking about reviving legends of yesteryear but even more obscure models as well. Anniversaries are always a great excuse to excavate the catalog and find gems that casual fans may have forgotten about. One such model is the Credor Locomotive.
Based in Japan, Credor is a brand created in 1974 under the Seiko umbrella, reserved for watches using premium materials like precious metals. Yet, while Credor is a well-known name today, its products weren’t readily available in the States until semi-recently. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, Credor looks back to one of its most significant models from ‘79, simply for the fact that it was designed by watch legend Gérald Genta.
A Watchmaking Legend
Born in Switzerland in 1931, Genta entered the world of watchmaking in the ‘50s following his training in the crafts of jewelry and goldsmithing. From there, he began the early stages of his design career at Universal Genève SA. Among his earliest creations was the Constellation model from Omega, which debuted in 1959. After that, he came out with hit after hit, including the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in 1972, IWC’s Ingenieur in 1976, and Patek Philippe’s Nautilus also in ‘76. It’s said Genta designed over 100,000 models in his career, many of which we aren’t even aware of.
During that time, he struck up a relationship with Seiko, who was in the midst of its own zenith of popularity. The collaboration resulted in the Credor Locomotive in 1979, which took its own inspiration from, you guessed it, locomotive trains, especially with its wholly hexagonal shape, extending to its case, dial, and even bezel screws.
Credor Locomotive Basics
Compared to the original Locomotive, which sported a 35mm stainless steel case and a quartz movement, this reissue makes some subtle yet important changes. For one, it utilizes titanium as its case material, which not only makes this lighter in weight but also makes this revival a bit more ceremonious. In terms of size, the case has been widened to a highly wearable 38.8mm and the bezel screws are actually functional now to aid with maintenance over time. Lastly, the quartz caliber has been swapped out for an automatic movement — the brand-new Credor-exclusive Caliber CR01.
Adorned with a titanium bracelet that looks oddly similar to that on a Royal Oak, the Locomotive also retains the same 4 o’clock crown and dial design as the original 1979 watch, the latter achieved by digital rendering that engraved each of the ~1,600 radial lines individually by machine. On the other hand, the applied hour markers and hands got a discreet redesign.
Spec Sheet
Case Size: 38.8mm
Case Thickness: 8.9mm
Case Material: Titanium
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: Caliber CR01 automatic
Band: Titanium bracelet
Limited Edition?: Yes, 300
Pricing & Availability
It’s difficult to hide our excitement for this important release but we’re going to have to wait until the watch becomes officially available in August. Limited to just 300 pieces, the Credor Locomotive will be priced at $12,000 upon arrival.
Recap
Credor Locomotive
Seiko-owned Credor revives its oft-forgotten-about Locomotive model from 1979, which was designed by watchmaking legend Gerald Genta, most known for AP’s Royal Oak and Patak Philippe’s Nautilus.
