{"product_id":"credor-first-spring-drive-gblg999-1000-platinum","title":"Credor “First Spring Drive” GBLG999 1000 Platinum","description":"\u003cp class=\"_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"_12FoOEddL7j_RgMQN0SNeU\"\u003eModel\u003c\/strong\u003e: Credor “First Spring Drive” GBLG999 1000 Platinum\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"_12FoOEddL7j_RgMQN0SNeU\"\u003eYear\u003c\/strong\u003e: 1999\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLimited Edition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100 Pieces\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong class=\"_12FoOEddL7j_RgMQN0SNeU\"\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Origin. \u003c\/strong\u003eIt’s hard to separate Spring Drive from Seiko. The smooth sweep of the seconds hand has become one of the brand’s most recognisable calling cards - and yet, by horological standards, it’s a fairly novel invention. The GBLG999, on offer today, has been there since the beginning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Dream.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Spring Drive entered development at Seiko in 1977. Yoshikazu Akahane, the engineer who began his ambitious quest for the everlasting watch, hoped to solve the accuracy issues that plagued traditional watches, while significantly reducing mechanical wear as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Success.\u003c\/strong\u003e It took 22 years, 600 prototypes and countless patents (currently at 230, although most are expired), but Akahane’s lofty goals were achieved. The Spring Drive was ready for production in 1999. Tragically, Akahane passed away in 1998 at just 52, so he wasn’t able to bask in all of his deserved glory. Thankfully, he lived long enough to see his creation unveiled to the world at Baselworld the same year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Dial.\u003c\/strong\u003e The hobnail dial texture hasn’t appeared particularly often in the Credor catalogue over the last thirty years, but it provides exactly the right amount of contrast without becoming overbearing. Atop the concentric rings that frame the dial beautifully sit tombstone hour markers - a design I have no recollection of seeing beyond this watch. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Case.\u003c\/strong\u003e The hands are an unusual blend of syringe tips and sword hands - again, not something I’ve seen elsewhere in the Credor catalogue. Similarly, this is the only modern Credor reference I know of housed in 1000 platinum. Even the platinum Eichi II uses the industry-standard 950 alloy, or 95% platinum.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Movement.\u003c\/strong\u003e The 7R78 calibre itself only ever appeared in the GBLG999. Admittedly, it’s essentially a gold-plated version of the 7R68 found in the SBWA001 and SBWA002 - Seiko’s other joint first-generation Spring Drive releases - but unique is unique, and I’m not afraid to add it to the list.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Engraving. \u003c\/strong\u003eAnd just in case you weren’t already sick to death of me pointing out all the unique elements offered by this watch, I’ve got one more up my sleeve. Inlaid into the side of the platinum case is a narrow strip of 18k gold. Credor added it specifically to encourage owners to personalise their watch using the company’s engraving service. This particular example remains a blank canvas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Result.\u003c\/strong\u003e The GBLG999 is Seiko’s victory lap. Twenty-two years of hard work celebrated through design choices that were not just distinctive at launch, but remain distinctive to this day. I have to assume Credor hasn’t revisited any of them out of respect for the original. Given what this movement came to represent for Seiko, and the fact that only 100 of this platinum variant were ever produced, it’s not a watch you’ll have the pleasure of seeing very often. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e In great condition overall. No marks of any major significance. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"_12FoOEddL7j_RgMQN0SNeU\"\u003eScope\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003cspan\u003eNo box or papers. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"_12FoOEddL7j_RgMQN0SNeU\"\u003eMovement\u003c\/strong\u003e: Credor 7R78 Manual-wind Spring Drive\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase Width: 37.5mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLug to Lug: 40.8mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase Thickness: 10.3mm\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60106375921998,"sku":null,"price":11100.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0788\/8977\/9534\/files\/Credor_GBLG999_Platinum_First_Spring_Drive_Watch.jpg?v=1783840463","url":"https:\/\/provenancewatches.com\/products\/credor-first-spring-drive-gblg999-1000-platinum","provider":"Provenance Watches","version":"1.0","type":"link"}