Credor “First Raden” GZLH997

Model: Credor “First Raden” GZLH997 Year: July 2004 Limited Edition: ??? Pieces Features: The History. Yet another reference you can’t Google. We’ve been here several times before, but this might be the most unusual one yet. Regular readers might recall that a Z as the second character denotes an atypical production run. Like the GZBE964, which was made exclusively for the Mitsukoshi watch fair as a demonstration model, or the GZBP999 made exclusively for one of Seiko’s oldest vendors. The Experiment. And much like the other Z references, Seiko couldn’t tell me a lot about the GZLH997 either. All my contact could say is it wasn’t made for anything or anyone specific - instead, it was an experimental reference from 2004. I should stress that it wasn’t confirmed to be a prototype for a specific model - but anyone familiar with Credor’s modern catalogue should have immediately recognised what it appears to have inspired. The Inspiration. It's unmistakably an experimental GCLP989, isn't it? All of the hallmarks are there, aren’t they? A raden crescent moon sitting atop a lacquer dial, inlaid with a flurry of maki-e gold and surrounded by even more mother-of-pearl. Is it as well put together as the GCLP989? Absolutely not, but this isn’t really about the finished result - this is more about the historical significance. The First. Because I, like most people, assumed the $450,000 GBCC999 Tourbillon was the first watch to have been blessed with Isshu Tamura’s impressive mother-of-pearl raden technique. Instead, more than a decade earlier, we have a Seiko exhibiting the same decorative style. I don’t know why it would take Seiko until 2016 to officially release a raden dial - perhaps that’s simply a testament to how difficult the technique is to master? Either way, I’m thankful for Isshu Tamura’s experiments, because his work continues to push Credor into fascinating territory, like the release of the GBCF999 last year. The Spring Drive. Not only does the absence of a rotor allow the watch to fit a more traditionally dressy profile, it also gives you an unobscured look at the manual wind Spring Drive powering the watch. The 7R88 calibre has been tastefully hand-finished - Geneva stripes run across its chamfered plates, and pinks, yellows and blues add interesting pops of colour. Specifications: Condition: In great condition overall. No marks of any real significance. Original buckle on an aftermarket strap. Scope: No box or papers Movement: 7R88 Manual-wind Spring Drive Dimensions: Case Width: 39.0mm Lug to Lug: 44.9mm Case Thickness: 9.5mm