Model: Credor “24/7 Skeleton” GBBD969 / 6899 18K Gold
Year: 2010
Features:
The Origin. In 1996, two of Seiko’s most decorated employees created a watch that shaped the future of Japanese haute horlogerie. That watch was the Credor GBBD - a skeletonised dress piece housing the razor-thin 6899 calibre. Mamoru Sakurada designed, built, and assembled the movement, while Kiyoshi Terui engraved every available millimetre by hand. To them, it was more than just a watch - it was a declaration of intent that Seiko was upping its game.
The Build. Their work on the 6899 series remains a technical benchmark. Assembling each movement is a iterative process for Sakurada - piece by piece, each component is shaped and fitted against the one that came before it. Tolerances of 0.03mm are judged by touch alone. Terui’s standards are no less exacting. While the calibre itself is only 1.98mm thick, some sections are as thin as 0.25mm. In order to maintain structural integrity, Terui works to a maximum engraving depth of 0.15mm – all checked by his touch, with a sensitivity refined over decades.
The Recognition. For their technical achievements, both men were awarded the Yellow Ribbon - a rare distinction granted by the Japanese Government to individuals whose mastery of an industry is considered irreplaceable.
The Update. Fast forward almost 15 years, and the dynamic duo were still working together on incredibly low production, fully hand-assembled pieces. The GBBD969, on offer today, is one such model and should be considered a spiritual successor to the original GBBD skeletons.
The Look. And yet, for all its technical brilliance, the GBBD969 remains delightfully poetic. Its skeletonised bridges were shaped to resemble bamboo stalks swaying in the wind, and Terui’s engravings feature traditional Japanese floral motifs. Every millimetre of the dial is spectacular, even when scrutinised by my macro lens.
The Design. Being a product of Credor's Node era, Terui naturally included the collection's hallmark 24/7 indices - a reminder of the ceaseless flow of time. Not only does it look luxurious, but the 18K white gold case carries unexpected heft for such a modestly sized watch. But I should point out, at 36.5mm, it’s considerably larger than the original GBBD offerings - making it perhaps more suited to modern tastes.
The Cost. Retailing in 2010 for a punchy ¥2,200,000 ($26,500 at the time, not adjusted for inflation), it doesn’t feel like much of a stretch to say it earned every yen of its price tag.
Specifications:
Condition: In great condition overall. Just serviced. No marks of any real significance.
Scope: No box, but comes with the service papers/
Movement: 6899 Manual-wind
Dimensions:
- Case Width: 36.5mm
- Lug to Lug: 42.5mm
- Case Thickness: 6.4mm
- Lug Width: 18.0mm
