The lean, mean, green, steam machine: the Credor Locomotive now comes with a green dial
Borna Bošnjak- Gérald Genta’s Credor creation returns with a railway-inspired green dial.
- It retains the High-Intensity Titanium of the 50th anniversary GCCR999 Locomotive, including its signature integrated bracelet.
- Unlike the 300-piece limited edition, the green Locomotive will join Credor’s regular-production line-up in May of 2025, priced at ¥1,870,000.
With the soaring popularity of integrated bracelet watch designs, many brands were scrambling to put to market a watch that was somehow influenced by the well-known tastemakers. As a result, Gérald Genta’s name was naturally elevated, and not for the creations he designed for his eponymous brand, but rather his angular, industrial approach to luxury watchmaking. Among the Royal Oaks, Nautiluses (Nautili?), and Ingenieurs, there was also the Credor Locomotive. While you may not immediately think of such a design when thinking about Credor today, back in those days, the Seiko Corporation was doing its best to figure out where to position it. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the brand, Credor re-released the locomotive in 2024 as a limited edition, and is now following up on their efforts with a non-limited, green-dialled variant.
Let’s get right into what’s actually new. Whereas the 50th anniversary LE went for a modern reproduction of the original’s dial with a sunburst grey, the new GCCR997 sports a honeycomb green dial beneath an otherwise unchanged layout. Credor notes that it is “inspired by the green signal light in train systems – symbolising the Locomotive advancing the Credor brand.” Esoteric inspo aside, the dial does tie into the hexagonal design of the watch well, and seems to be quite intricately executed. Each hexagon is striped on the inside, creating distinct texture and light separation.
The dial is as far as the changes go, however. The case is still High-Intensity Titanium that we’ve seen used on Grand Seiko models like the SLGA025 Atera Blue, measuring in at 38.8mm across, an impressive 8.9mm in height, and with a compact 41.7mm lug-to-lug.
Though it technically meets the requirement, the bracelet doesn’t quite mould flush to the case the way you’d expect from an integrated bracelet watch. Instead, similarly to Genta’s designs for his own brand, it connects to the case via a single broad link, before continuing in a complex construction and finishing in a folding clasp.
And the reason for the Locomotive’s thinness is the CR01 movement that was introduced with last year’s model. It’s the Seiko Corp’s answer to the slimmer, more premium Swiss offerings like the Sellita SW300/ETA 2892, and features in numerous premium collections like King Seiko under the guise of the 6L35 name. It closely matches the thickness of the aforementioned Swiss movements at 3.7mm in height (the SW300 is 3.6mm, for reference), with a 4Hz beat rate and power reserve of 45 hours. Compared to the rest of the Credor line-up – think Eichi or even Goldfeather – it certainly makes sense for it to sit at the entry-level price point for the brand. Though Credor does say it’s exclusive to the brand, I’m not sure what upgrades have been made to it apart from the elevated, gilded finishing.
Credor Locomotive GCCR997 pricing and availability
The new green-dialled Credor Locomotive ref. GCCR997 is set to release on the 23rd of May 2025. Price: ¥1,870,000 (US$12,200)
| Brand | Credor |
| Model | Locomotive |
| Reference | GCCR997 |
| Case Dimensions | 38.8mm (D) x 8.9mm (T) x 41.7mm (LTL) |
| Case material | High-Intensity Titanium |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front |
| Dial | Green hexagon pattern |
| Bracelet and strap | Integrated, case-matching bracelet, folding clasp |
| Movement | CR01, Seiko 6L35 base, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 45 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Available from May 23rd 2025 |
| Price | ¥1,870,000 |