Credor - RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020 Geneva Sunday, November 8, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Credor
    Year: Circa 2015
    Reference No: GBLT999
    Case No: 590'004
    Model Name: Eichi II
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 7R14, 41 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Credor deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Credor instruction manual, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Credor is the ultra-luxe, top-of-the-line name Seiko applies to its finest watches. And the very best Credor watches are produced at the Micro Artist Studio, a tiny workshop at Seiko’s factory in Shiojiri, a city in central Japan. The work at the Micro Artist Studio is so artisanal that the dozen craftsmen produce just 30 or so watches a year.

    The quintessential Credor timepiece is the Eichi. Japanese for “wisdom”, Eichi is a perfectly simple, yet perfectly executed, wristwatch. Originally introduced in 2008 as the Eichi II, the model was gently revised and succeeded by the Eichi II in 2014.

    Conceived with almost no frills, yet every detail lavishly attended to, the Eichi II is one of the most understated, yet horologically compelling watches of our time. In fact, the watch is known in horological circles as the Japanese equivalent of the Philippe Dufour Simplicity.

    Displaying an incredibly well-finished Spring Drive movement, the Eichi II is arguably the finest creation made by Seiko today. Every element, inside and out, is executed par excellence. The polished, bevelled edges of the movement bridges, or anglage, is incredibly well done - crisp, sharply defined, and mirror polished. And the porcelain dial – a pristine white thanks to its specially formulated porcelain - is hand-painted by an artisan of the Micro Artist Studio who relies on a tiny brush and a microscope.

    So fine is this timepiece that the Eichi II is limited to just two dozen pieces per year, resulting in a waiting list.

    The present watch is an early example of the Eichi II – the serial number indicates it was produced in 2015 - evidenced by the gilt fill in the engraving on the movement. Later versions have blue lettering. Some collectors also regard the earlier examples of the Eichi II as having more nuanced finishing. Finally, the box is finished in urushi, Japanese lacquer.

266

Ref. GBLT999
A highly rare, superlative and attractive platinum wristwatch with porcelain dial presentation box

Circa 2015
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 40,000 
€18,700-37,300
$22,000-44,000

Sold for CHF44,100

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2031

WatchesHK@phillips.com

RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020

Geneva Auction 8 November 2020