This GZLT999 Wako Edition is possibly the rarest Credor Eichi II
Zach BlassToday, as a change of pace, I’m not going to talk about a new release or just any watch. This is my baby, my watch, and my prematurely titled “exit watch” – yeah I cracked. Anyway, this is one of the most esteemed Seiko Corporation watches: the Credor Eichi II. The Eichi II, while not a limited edition, is limited in production – with only 20 or so watches produced each year. Mine is particularly special, not just because it’s mine, but because it’s the Eichi II GZLT999, a Wako Ginza edition that was exclusively sold at the Japan flagship as a limited edition (or “limited collection”).
What makes the Credor Eichi II GZLT999 different?
At first glance, you would think this is the standard reference GBLT999, which feels so wrong to say considering how few Eichi II watches are made per year. What makes the Credor Eichi II GZLT999 different?
Well, the case is still 950 platinum, 39mm in diameter, 10.3mm thick, and 45mm lug-to-lug, and its dial is fabricated in white porcelain – inspired by the snowy landscape of the Shiojiri region where the watch is made, and the more common configuration for the model. Its distinguishing twist is that the indices at 12 and 6 are not executed in baton style as usual – instead, they’re Roman numerals. Here is why that’s really cool.
To understand why, we first have to understand the Eichi II, and Credor as a whole. The watch appears to be very clean and simple, yet it is deceptively complex. To most, it would appear to be a time-only, white enamel dial, but it is, as I said before, porcelain, and the indices on the dial are not printed, but rather meticulously painted by hand.
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I’ve had the privilege of watching a Micro Artist Studio watchmaker, the best of the best within the Seiko Corporation, hand-paint these indices. Their hand moved so slowly in order to paint these incredibly thin and perfect lines – it was like the artisan’s hand was not even moving.
A misconception surrounding the Eichi II dial is that these artisans immediately paint a blank porcelain canvas. The truth is, the dial first receives a light screen printing the artisan then later traces over with their very, very skilled hands. A standard Eichi II requires 13 lines to be painted, plus the Credor brand name which is also notably hand-painted – I mean, c’mon, I can’t even write my signature the same way twice.
The GZLT999 Wako Edition ups the ante with a total of 17 lines, and therefore requiring more time to execute. The glaze of the white porcelain is so crisp and white, unlike anything I have ever seen before, and you can even see a shadow of the fired blue gliding central seconds hand with its crescent tip – a moon rotating around the dial. Absolutely serene.
If you think the front is nice, check out the back
Now, the dial craftsmanship alone is enough of a draw, but where watch nerds like myself really begin to drool is when you look at the stunning 7R14 Spring Drive calibre. Looking at this incredibly high level of finishing, it’s not as much of a surprise to hear a photograph of Philippe Dufour hangs in the studio, and that he once visited and offered his advice on finishing techniques – very valuable considering his movement finishing is considered to be the best of the best. A ton of the manual-winding calibre’s components are finished and decorated by hand, but the standout element is the exceptional, mile-wide bevelling. Micro Artist Studio artisans gorgeously hand-bevel the bridges of the movement with gentian wood, applying their touch even to the openworked barrel.
Each 7R14 calibre is said to require an estimated 20 hours of work to complete all of its hand-finishing. You’ll notice the openworked barrel displays three hand-bevelled bellflowers – the flower of the city the studio is located in.
But this flower motif is taken further, with the curved lines of the bridges evoking the stem, and the cutouts for the glide wheel being the petals. The hairline brushed finish on the topside of the bridges, also performed by hand, results in a rich and bright surface that provides excellent contrast for their bevelled edges which, because they’re polished, go dark (that signature balance of light and shadow). With a torque return system, the calibre is able to extend its power reserve to 60 hours – indicated by a power reserve indicator on the movement. From my experience, it basically gains zero seconds per day. As long as I wind it every two days or so and do not travel outside of my time zone, I never, ever have to resync the watch. So, as you would expect from Seiko, this creation is nature-inspired throughout – a snowy landscape dial and bellflower-inspired calibre design.
Final thoughts
The watch, while I prefer 36mm to 39mm, wears really well on my wrist – the 45mm lug-to-lug is more than manageable. And its larger case size means a more expansive dial and movement, which is obviously a good thing. I have since taken it off the factory strap and pivoted to a steel pin buckle instead of the 950/900 platinum deployant. The folding arm is a bit long for my taste, and it adds a little bulk. I like titanium watches, and own titanium Grand Seikos, but man do I love the luxurious heft of the platinum case – this watch as a whole is just pure class. Simplicity at its best, and everything I would ever want in a watch – a superb dial, beautifully hand-finished movement, and unparalleled accuracy.
With all this in mind, I think it’s clear why I hold the watch in such high regard, and why a tear of joy may have escaped my eye when it arrived. I consider myself very fortunate, winning it at auction on LoupeThis, likely only due to a strange caseback scratch where the text water-resistant is engraved – something I can totally live with. Between the dial and the movement, I’m hardly looking at the platinum case on either side – though it is beautifully Zaratsu-polished. The GZLT999 retailed for ￥6,600,000 in 2020, but I can’t confirm the total quantity of its production run. If it was less than 30, the total quantity of the new 50th anniversary GBLT996, then the GZLT999 would be the rarest. The GZLT999’s closest equivalent, the GBLT999, is listed as £50,000 on Seiko’s UK website.
Credor Eichi II GZLT999 Wako Limited Edition pricing and availability
The Credor Eichi II GZLT999 Wako Edition consisted of a small limited edition run of an undisclosed number. To inquire about its availability you will need to visit the Wako building, now known as Seiko House Ginza. Its closest equivalent, the GBLT999 is not a limited edition but it is limited in production. Price: ￥6,600,000 (2020, equivalent to ~US$49,000 in 2024).
| Brand | Credor |
| Model | Eichi II Wako Limited Edition |
| Reference | GZLT999 |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 10.3mm (T) x 45mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | 950 platinum |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire crystal front and back |
| Dial | White porcelain, hand-painted indices |
| Strap | Blue alligator leather, 950/900 platinum folding clasp |
| Movement | 7R14, in-house, manual winding, Spring Drive |
| Power Reserve | 60 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve (movement side) |
| Availability | N/A |
| Price | ￥6,600,000 (2020 RRP) |