Introducing The Credor Goldfeather Tourbillon Limited Edition GBCF999

Credor is often regarded as being a connaisseur’s brand, one of those beguiling watchmakers known and appreciated by a small group of deeply devoted watch collectors and enthusiasts. Part of the Seiko corporation, Credor represents the high-end side of the company, combining the most special traditional craftsmanship techniques with Japanese watchmaking artistry. Although it has been a Japan-exclusive brand for most of its life, watches like the recently relaunched Locomotive have brought new attention to Credor, which is a good thing! Since then, we’ve shared the intriguing Credor GCBD997, made with artist Akira Yamaghuchi. Now, though, we take flight yet again, with the mesmerising Credor Goldfeather Tourbillon Limited Edition GBCF999, showcasing a myriad of crafts, and at the same time welcoming a tourbillon escapement in the collection for the first time ever. 

Founded in 1974 as a subsidiary of the Seiko group, the name Credor is derived from the French term Crete d’Or, which translates to “pinnacle of gold”. The brand has always been devoted to precious metals and rare materials, often encasing its watches in gold and platinum, although it doesn’t shy away from steel or titanium. Standout models include the ultra-clean Eichi II, the Node Spring Drive Minute Repeater, and of course, the Gérald Genta-designed Locomotive. The Goldfeather collection we’re covering now was introduced in 2023 and is a series of ultra-thin mechanical watches, which includes the aforementioned Eichi II.

The refined 950 platinum case of the GBCF999 measures a discreet 38.6mm in width and 8.6mm in height, or thinness if you will. It has the typical Credor design, with simple yet elegant lines, and subtle touches such as a small step between the bezel and lugs, creating a slightly airy profile. The small pull-out crown is knurled and finished with the Credor logo. A domed sapphire crystal on top and a flat sapphire crystal around the back reveal the wonderous dial and movement that give life to this Goldfeather Tourbillon L.E. GBCF999. And life, it certainly has given the decor on the dial!

The dial is a true masterpiece of traditional Japanese artistry and craftsmanship. The main dial is slightly curved and finished with deep black Urushi lacquer. Then, a large flock of birds is inlayed into the dial using varying techniques. Mother-of-Pearl inlays, as well as gold powder sprinkling, techniques known as raden and maki-e, respectively, are used to portray the mesmerising dance of a flock of birds in full flight. The decoration also uses a technique called kirikane, where gold plate is cut into fine lines or shapes and applied to surfaces, in this case, the dial.

Time is indicated with elegantly simple central gold hour and minute hands, with a faceted profile. On the left, the dial gives way to the tourbillon escapement, which is suspended underneath an intricately shaped and openworked gold tourbillon bridge. The aperture shows a radiant ensemble of gold dots, as if the sun dramatically sets, triggering the birds to disperse and take flight, dancing across the night’s sky. The finishing touches are the Credor and Goldfeather names and logos, rendered in raised maki-e.

Hiding underneath a sapphire crystal caseback is the in-house manually wound Calibre 6850, which is an evolution over the Calibre 6830. Not only is it regulated by a tourbillon escapement visible from both sides of the movement, but it also benefits from a larger mainspring and barrel to increase the power reserve to 60 hours. The movement is pushed to one side in the case, to make way for the greenish-blue feather made with raden (Mother-of-Pearl inlay) and maki-e (gold powder sprinkling). The colour comes from the shell of a Yakougai, a type of green Turban Snail. The movement itself is decorated with a hand-engraved radial feather pattern inspired by the primary feathers of birds, which are used to generate lift.

Credor fits the Goldfeather Tourbillon Limited Edition GBCF999 on a stitchless black crocodile leather strap, secured to the wrist with a 950 platinum and 900 platinum triple-folding clasp with a push-button release. It’s limited to a run of just 10 pieces, with a retail price of EUR 190,000.

For more information, please visit Credor.com.