Credor “Charcoal" GCAQ997 / 6870-00E0

Model: Credor “Grape” GCAQ999 / 6870-00E0 Year: March 2009 Features: The Subtlety. No one would describe any watch from Credor’s 24/7 collection as subtle, yet the GCAQ997 is presented with a surprising amount of restraint. The Etchings. The first thing you’ll notice are the oversized indices. They’ve been carved into the sunburst charcoal dial and from certain angles the etchings almost disappear - but their long striations just about keep them visible. I’m willing to be wrong, but it’s not a dial technique I’ve seen Seiko employ outside of this collection. The Movement. But the best piece of design is more physical than visual. At just 5.6mm thick and with a solid caseback, it feels safe to assume this is a quartz-powered watch. But it isn’t. Inside is a 6870 mechanical calibre. The movement is decorated like any 68 calibre you see through an exhibition caseback, so why hide it? Function over form. The Profile. The solid caseback allows the watch to be more than 2mm thinner than its exhibition-back counterparts, like as the GBAQ968. This is the thinnest 68 calibre watch I’ve ever handled, and therefore also the thinnest mechanical Seiko I’ve ever handled. There’s no argument for any manual wind Credors being unpleasantly thick, but shaving off ~2mm from the case feels like a good enough reason to hide the movement. Either way, you’re going to spend most of your time starring at that dial. Specifications: Condition: In great condition overall. Just serviced. No marks of any real significance. Scope: Box but no papers Movement: Credor 6898 Manual Wind Dimensions: Case Width: 37.5mm Lug to Lug: 43.0mm Case Thickness: 5.6mm Lug Width: 18mm