Credor Eichi II

[estrickland]

Saw this post from WatchesBySJX on the new Credor Eichi II (GBLT999) released for the 40th anniversary of Credor and the 15th anniversary of the Spring Drive. 



OP: www.watchesbysjx.com/2014/08/introducing-seiko-credor-eichi-ii.html 
Seiko Link: www.credor.com/lineup/signo/gblt999/

I didn't care for the oversized numerals on the original Eichi. Subtle or not, the watch was better without them.
The power reserve also threw the dial balance off, and they've moved it to the back. Size increased from 35mm to 39mm, a very handsome modern dress watch size.

The only 'downgrade' in my opinion is the crown - replacing the beauty below with a much more boring/standard affair.

Original Eichi:


Great to see Seiko new flagships from Seiko - finishing R&D inevitably trickles down to the more affordable GS line.

These are 5.5million JPY (~$54k today) - the same price as the original, and from the article they start delivery in October.


Our family is going to take a trip to Japan in the spring, and might just have to visit the Micro Artist Studio as well as the Shizuku-Ishi Watch Studio, hoping they give out door prizes. 

Or... maybe just order one. For a commemorative-release watch combining this degree of finishing with this movement technology, in a solid platinum case with a hand-painted porcelain dial - it's really a bargain. (Think my wife will buy that, or should I keep working on it?)

[thianwong]

Beautiful but too rich for my blood. I did last year look for a used Chrono Credor and found some online...but in the end choose the Omega Speedie Moon edition.

[Groundhog66]

Definitely an elegant piece, too fancy for me though.

[SpinDoctor]

meh, just another mall seiko

[Rod]

Aug 18, 2014 17:09:36 GMT -8 SpinDoctor said:

meh, just another mall seiko

Yep and there is no way on this earth that it cost $50000 plus grand to make! 

[cd_god]

I like the ghost numerals on the original but hate the long tail on the second hand.

I agree that if you can get the same Spring Drive movement in a $3K seiko and the actual precious metal content of the case is maybe $1500 at most that is not a $50K watch but a piece of marketing from cubicle dwellers on an internship trying to earn a degree in marketing before they land a job at Rolex's PR department.

There was another Seiko reissue or annivrsary which I can't recall of which I liked some of the original vs. some of the new.

[estrickland]

Aug 18, 2014 19:05:13 GMT -8 cd_god said:

.. if you can get the same Spring Drive movement in a $3K seiko ...

You gotta know these aren't the same. The guys making the Eichi make the $350K Sonnerie, which takes 4 months for 1 watch.
The simpler Eichi takes about a month.

ajw.asahi.com/article/business/AJ201208280007
tonymcnicol.com/2009/06/16/the-seiko-epson-micro-artist-studio/
www.watchtalkforums.info/forums/thread17883.html
www.seikospringdrive.com/sonnerie/history/index.html

[boid69]

We'll said

[igniferroque]

I'd say all the changes make for a better watch. I'll keep my eyes open on the bay!

[sdoocms]

Not my cup of tea.