Model: Credor “Frozen Window” GBAT011 / 8J80-8A00
Year: July 2008
Features:
The Design. Not just another Snowflake - but it certainly wouldn’t look out of place amongst the dozen or so snow-adjacent watches Seiko has produced over the last 60 years.
The Dial. Regardless of what we choose to call it, this is a rare example of a dress watch that isn’t simple. Despite its elegant proportions, the platinum case gives the watch a reassuring amount of heft - while the perfectly nicknamed Frozen Window dial serves as textured backdrop for the separated Roman numeral hour markers and recessed minute track.
The Indices. As a small detail you'll only notice once the watch is in your hands, the indices appear to float, casting tiny shadows onto the concentrically ridged tracks below.
The Hands. Perhaps we should call the hands Spears or Assegai, as they bear a striking resemblance to the now-famous Laurent Ferrier handset introduced in 2009. Except this watch is from 2008. Credor wasn’t thoughtful enough to leave us with any public-facing information relating to the GBAT011, so I don’t know if this novel, to Credor at least, handset had an official name. Sadly, whatever the name might have been, they’ll no doubt be called Assesgai now.
The Movement. Inside is a legendary 8J thermocompensated HAQ, which represents Seiko’s last whatever the cost approach to making quartz movements, before being replaced by the more economical 9F calibre seen in Grand Seikos. Like the 9F, the 8J boasts accuracy of ±10 seconds per year, but dedicated testing by the WUS community shows the 8J consistently outperforms the 9F across all temperature ranges:
The Release. It was released in the late 2000s as part of Credor’s impeccably dressy Signo Collection. The collection wanted its watches to be a subtle sign that the wearer had dignity and class - a brazen mission statement, but one that makes sense when you consider this watch’s discreet elegance. Call it stealth wealth, call it IYKYK - the philosophy fits.
Specifications:
Condition: In great condition overall. No marks of any major significance.
Scope: No box or papers.
Movement: 8J thermocompensated HAQ
Dimensions:
- Case Width: 34.0mm
- Lug to Lug: 39.6mm
- Case Thickness: 5.7mm
- Lug Width: 18mm
