Model: Seiko Credor GCLP989 / 7R87-0AD0 Sakura Fubuki
Year: March 2018
Features:
The Complication. Whether we’re talking about mechanical movements or spring drives, the only high-end Seiko movement with a Big Date complication is the 7R87 Credor Spring Drive. And even more surprisingly, there are only a handful of models that even use that movement… and they’re all discontinued.
The Technique. Raden is a traditional Japanese decorative technique in which hand-cut slivers of mother-of-pearl are inlaid into lacquer. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this isn’t a modern artistic flourish - examples of Japanese Raden lacquerware date back to the 8th century. Seiko partnered with Yamada Heiando, a 106-year-old Tokyo-based lacquerware atelier, to produce all 120 dials by hand.
The Design. The theme is simple but deeply symbolic. "Sakura Fubuki" translates to “storm of cherry blossoms,” and the dial is filled with delicate sakura petals dancing across a moonlit sky, with a single cherry blossom floating near the Big Date window.
The Theme. At first glance, it’s simply a beautiful scene - but as you might already know, the cherry blossom is frequently used in Japan as a poetic reminder of life’s fragility. Like the blossom itself, human life can bloom brilliantly and perish suddenly. You could go one step further and suggest the position of the only in-tact cherry blossom is no coincidence. Positioned beside the date window, it becomes a quiet reminder that any given day could be the moment your petals join the storm. The value of time, and making every second count, has been an overarching theme across various modern Credor collections, and the GCLP989 continues that tradition with subtle grace.
The Spring Drive. The tactile ritual of winding a watch is hard to explain to those who haven’t experienced it - it’s almost meditative. Rolling the crown between my fingers in the early morning, as I wait for my espresso machine to warm up, becomes a cherished part of my daily routine. With the 7R87 Spring Drive, removing the automatic rotor not only enhances the manual-winding experience but also ensures that the beauty of the movement isn’t obscured.
The Dimensions. The absence of the rotor also trims down the case thickness, giving this Spring Drive a more traditionally dressy profile. At just 9.7mm thick, it’s slimmer than any Grand Seiko Spring Drive on the market.
The Fit. Its slim dimensions make it an absolute delight to wear. Winding the crown and watching the power reserve needle drift across the Maki-e Gold finish is deeply satisfying. Depending on your angle and the lighting, the mother-of-pearl fragments flash with silvery shades of every green, pink, purple and blue hue. It’s a wrist-rolling dream.
Specifications:
Condition: In great condition. Just serviced by Credor in Japan (one year manufacturer’s warranty). No noticeable marks of any significance.
Scope: Non-original Credor box, with Service Papers.
Movement: 7R87 Manual-wind Spring Drive
Dimensions:
- Case Width: 37.5mm
- Lug to Lug: 44.4mm
- Case Thickness: 9.7mm
- Bracelet: Maximum length of 7.0 inches
