Have revived the Credor Locomotive last year with the limited edition GCCR999, Seiko has now added the Gerald Genta-designed sports watch to its regular production lineup. The Credor Locomotive GCCR997 is identical to its limited edition counterpart, save for the dial, which is now dark green with an intricate hexagon pattern.

Initial thoughts

Having already gotten wind of the Locomotive becoming regular production, the new GCCR997 isn’t a surprise. It is also inevitable given the good response enjoyed by the limited edition, which was well priced, especially for the case and bracelet quality. The honeycomb dial with its novel pattern is a nice touch.

Seiko has wisely kept the retail price essentially unchanged over the limited edition – this is about US$500 more expensive – which means the is still good value, and also more accessible. And I’m sure this won’t be the only Locomotive in the catalogue, so expect to see more variants in the future.

Hexagon themed

The new Locomotive has the same titanium case and bracelet found on last year’s model. The GCCR997 retains the dimensions of the vintage original that was launched in 1978, but with an improved construction and finish.

Made of Seiko’s “high-intensity” titanium, the case and bracelet are finished with a combination of brushed and polished surfaces that gleam a little more than usual because the proprietary alloy has greater hardness than the conventional titanium alloys used in watches. The original, on the other hand, was in steel.

Moreover, the bezel is secured by functional screws, whereas the original had decorative “bolts”. Also upgraded in a tangible manner is the bracelet, which is more robust and supple than the original. And while the original relied on a stamped steel clasp, the GCCR997 has a milled double-fold clasp in titanium.

The key difference between the new GCCR997 and last year’s limited edition is the dial. Instead of the radial patterned grey dial of the original, the new model has a dark green dial with a hexagon motif inspired by the design of the watch that incorporates hexagons into almost every element, from the bezel to screws to crown. Each hexagon that makes up the dial pattern is filled with lines of alternating directions, resulting in a subtle two-tone finish.

The movement remains the CR01, a high-end version of the calibre that’s also known as the Seiko 6L35. It’s a thin, self-winding movement that is usually plainly finished in the 6L35 guise, but here as a Credor calibre it’s dressed up with striping, blued screws, and gilt bridges. The decorated calibre, however, is concealed beneath a solid back.

Key facts and price

Seiko Credor Locomotive
Ref. GCCR997

Diameter: 38.8 mm
Height: 8.9 mm
Material: Titanium
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: Cal. CR01
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and date
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 45 hours

Strap: Matching titanium bracelet

Limited edition: No
Availability: At Seiko boutiques and retailers worldwide starting May 2025
Price:

For more, visit credor.com