With the exception of the Eichi ii timepiece, Seiko?s high-end Credor brand has been largely kept to the Japanese domestic market in order to keep the spotlight on Grand Seiko internationally. Fortunately, it looks like everyone got the memo with the latest release celebrating the 50th anniversary of Credor. The watch is is a reissue of the brand?s not-quite-iconic, but certainly cult-classic Locomotive watch which was their  first to be designed by none other than Gerald Genta (there was also the later Credor Ref. 9461-5010). This reissue retains the lovably eccentric personality of the original with some updates and upgrades to stay competitive in the cutthroat low five-figure price category. Though with a production run of just 300 pieces, I doubt these will stick around too long.
While the 1979 original was slightly smaller and outfitted with a quartz movement, the new model has a titanium case measuring 38.8mm wide and 8.9mm thick with a lug-to-lug height of 41.7mm (and 100m of water resistance). I handled an original Locomotive a few years ago and absolutely loved how relentlessly idiosyncratic the design touches were. The Locomotive is characterized by the hexagonal case/bezel and what I can best describe as a hybrid of an integrated bracelet and Vendôme lugs (Genta was also responsible for the Cartier Pasha). Were it designed today, I think the crown at 4 o?clock would be sacrificed at the alter of being ?too much? but fortunately Genta didn?t have to worry abo...